A rural planning organization (RPO) shall make recommendations to the department concerning the prioritization of projects and programs in the department's unified transportation program under §16.105 of this subchapter (relating to Unified Transportation Program (UTP)) to be developed within the boundaries of the RPO. For an area that is outside of the boundaries of an MPO and an RPO, the programming recommendations will be made by the department. All recommendations shall be delivered to the department at the times and in the manner and format established by the department and must include a prioritized list of projects with input from officials of affected municipalities, counties, and local transportation entities.