An overview of textiles for the transportation industry addresses the development of air bag fabrics, Japanese and world markets for air bag fabrics, technical properties and structures of nylon 66 air bag fabrics, and the use of foamed urethane fabrics for automotive fabrics. The Japanese market for air bag fabrics consumed 6,000 tons of nylon 66 fabric in 1999. Uncoated air bag fabrics accounted for 60 percent of Japanese air bag fabrics due to lower their cost and packing volume. Toyobo Company Limited's Breathair foamed urethane fabric has a three dimensional spring and loop structure that decreases local deformation. Its open cell structure offers good air permeability. 5 refs.