B737 first officer reported taxi guide lines associated with gate alignment were difficult to see wh...

Attributes
ACN	1610004
Time
Date	201901
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	OAK.Airport
State Reference	CA
Environment
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737-700
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Taxi
Person 1
Function	Pilot Not Flying First Officer
Qualification	Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 334 Flight Crew Type 10000
Events
Anomaly	No Specific Anomaly Occurred All Types

Narrative:

This [safety report] is intended as more of a general concern issue and not limited to this particular flight. On numerous occasions; throughout our system; I've noticed that the j-lines are often times very difficult to see at night when the ramps are wet. This is especially hazardous when the line is at an unexpected angle (not perpendicular to the ramp) or involves a turn during entry to the gate or when the marshaller isn't providing accurate guidance. Has anyone considered using reflective paint (as is used on some taxiways and runways) on the j-lines so as to increase their visibility?

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 First Officer reported taxi guide lines associated with gate alignment were difficult to see when the ramp was wet and suggested reflective paint be used to increase visibility.

Narrative: This [safety report] is intended as more of a general concern issue and not limited to this particular flight. On numerous occasions; throughout our system; I've noticed that the J-lines are often times very difficult to see at night when the ramps are wet. This is especially hazardous when the line is at an unexpected angle (not perpendicular to the ramp) or involves a turn during entry to the gate or when the marshaller isn't providing accurate guidance. Has anyone considered using reflective paint (as is used on some taxiways and runways) on the J-lines so as to increase their visibility?

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.

B737 first officer reported taxi guide lines associated with gate alignment were difficult to see when the ramp was wet and suggested reflective paint be used to increase visibility.