Back on Tracks: Phillip Longman's "Steel Wheel Interstate" Proposal

Washington, DC -- In a just-published cover story for the Washington Monthly, Phillip Longman proposes an idea that would make driving safer and more pleasant, reduce highway repair costs, mitigate the need to build or expand Interstates, dramatically improve energy use, cut carbon emissions and more -- all in one stroke. Mr. Longman's idea has already caught the attention of Congress; he is scheduled to testify before a House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on January 28th.

Mr. Longman, a Schwartz Senior Fellow and Research Director of New America's Next Social Contract Initiative, will further discuss his "Steel Wheel Interstate" proposal with a panel of experts on January 30th in Washington, DC.

On January 15th, the House Appropriations committee announced $30 billion for new highway construction. In his article, Longman argues that much of this money would be better spent getting long-haul trucks onto trains, which are far more energy efficient, safer and less polluting. Trucks kill 5000 Americans a year, are a major source of highway congestion and disrepair, and are among the fastest growing sources of pollution. 

For more information about Mr. Longman's proposal and the upcoming New America event, please click here.

Phillip Longman is available to discuss the proposal. To speak to him, e-mail Erin Drankoski at Drankoski@newamerica.net.

About New America
The New America Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy institute that invests in new thinkers and new ideas to address the next generation of challenges facing the United States.  Headquartered in Washington D.C., New America also has offices in California.

Learn More About: Phillip Longman
Related Programs: Economic Growth Program
Topics: Energy & Environment, Next Social Contract, Transportation