Increasing commercialization of new vehicle and fuel options could improve urban air quality and reduce energy consumption in the transit bus industry, according to a UC Davis transportation researcher planning a conference on the topic for Thursday, April 2. During the daylong "California Advanced Transit Bus Conference," organized by Daniel Sperling, a UC Davis professor and director of the Institute of Transportation Studies, and by Jason Mark, of the Union of Concerned Scientists, potential technology options, associated energy and environmental impacts of such technologies, and problems and opportunities in developing and marketing advanced transit buses such as those powered by fuel-cells will be among topics discussed. The conference aims to highlight technological opportunities and identify how changes might take place, Sperling says. The conference will be held on campus in the Memorial Union's East Conference Room from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Representatives from the California Air Resources Board, Union of Concerned Scientists, Pacific Gas and Electric and regional transit providers will be among those participating. The event is supported by the Air Resources Board, UC Transportation Center and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, as well as the institute's Davis affiliate program sponsors.