Narrative:

Near runway incursion. No deviation; just suggesting safety improvements. Late night and delayed flight. Light rain at the field. Heavy traffic backed up runways and taxiways. Given instructions to taxi to runway 9R via a; A2; runway 4; H; short of right. Normal taxi route is a; A6; right. We briefed the nonstandard taxi route and talked about the close proximity to 9R and looking at the taxi diagram concluded it required to taxi northeast on runway 4 for a couple feet then make the left turn on H. Upon reaching runway 4; straight ahead looked unlit like it was grass so I made the slight right turn and looked left for H. When I looked back straight; I noticed the hold short line for runway 9R less than 10 feet in front of me. I stopped the aircraft then saw taxiway H and made the left turn. We never crossed the hold short line but was shocked to see it so close to us. The rain reduced the visibility and the nonstandard route probably led to the confusion. Suggestions: I do not recall that area being particularly lit by taxiway lights; nor did I notice the taxiway signs. There were several lead on and lead off taxi lines from the multiple runways. The hold short lines were not enhanced with the 'wig wag' lights. After asking several other pilots; they agree the taxi diagram can be misleading. I would suggest a hot spot being added to that area for taxiing on runway 4 to taxiway H.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: EMB-175 Captain reported the taxi diagram in ORD can be misleading and suggested a HOTSPOT should be added to the airport chart.

Narrative: Near runway incursion. No deviation; just suggesting safety improvements. Late night and delayed flight. Light rain at the field. Heavy traffic backed up runways and taxiways. Given instructions to taxi to runway 9R via A; A2; Runway 4; H; short of R. Normal taxi route is A; A6; R. We briefed the nonstandard taxi route and talked about the close proximity to 9R and looking at the taxi diagram concluded it required to taxi northeast on runway 4 for a couple feet then make the left turn on H. Upon reaching runway 4; straight ahead looked unlit like it was grass so I made the slight right turn and looked left for H. When I looked back straight; I noticed the hold short line for runway 9R less than 10 feet in front of me. I stopped the aircraft then saw taxiway H and made the left turn. We never crossed the hold short line but was shocked to see it so close to us. The rain reduced the visibility and the nonstandard route probably led to the confusion. Suggestions: I do not recall that area being particularly lit by taxiway lights; nor did I notice the taxiway signs. There were several lead on and lead off taxi lines from the multiple runways. The hold short lines were not enhanced with the 'wig wag' lights. After asking several other pilots; they agree the taxi diagram can be misleading. I would suggest a Hot Spot being added to that area for taxiing on runway 4 to taxiway H.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.