This read-create object sets the routing metric (cost) for this static route, with meaning depending on the routing protocol named in the route's Proto value, and defaulting to 1 if unused, per the description. Admins tune this metric to control route preference when multiple paths to the same destination exist, letting the lower-metric route win. For example, an admin configuring two static routes to the same subnet as primary and backup paths would set this metric lower on the primary route so it's preferred under normal conditions.