Narrative:

I was working ground control combined with controller in charge. Local control was training. I am unsure of the callsign of the aircraft; it is a military. I had taxied the military jet from the jet center which is located near 'D1' and 'D' intersection to runway 11L at 'D.' this is a very simple route for an aircraft to follow. However for reasons which I will explain; as an aircraft approaches the runway at this location many pilots are confused. The nose wheel only of the jet rolled passed the hold bar for 11L at 'D.' as you can see in the a photo of the 11L threshold; I think this technically is an approach area. I noticed this; and I felt no action needed to be taken. There was an aircraft landing roll at the time; which was no factor. There was also an aircraft on final; which also was not affected. I believe many pilots are confused as to the intersection of 11L at 'D' do to the following reasons; this is a documented hot spot; 'a' taxiway and 'D' taxiways intersect as well as 'A3' all in the same area. There are many signs out there. Arriving at 11L at 'D;' the threshold actually sits well to the left. Technically 'D' does not intersect with 11L. I believe to depart from 'D;' you have to taxi onto 'A2;' make a 90 degree left turn; and now taxi past the threshold for departure. This is significant for two reasons. First; usually when a pilot approaches a hold bar at X airport; the markings on the other side are white; indicating runway. Here they are yellow; indicating taxiways. The other reason is that at tucson; as shown in the attached photo; the pavement on the other side of the hold bar (at 'D') is asphalt. While the runway is concrete. This adds to confusion and; on almost what seems like an hourly basis; aircraft that are taxied to 11L at 'D' actually end up taxiing to 11L at 'A4.' 'A4' is now concrete; not asphalt as in the photo. Pilots constantly hold at 'a' taxiway; about where the citation is in the picture; confused. Usually with general aviation pilots that seem unfamiliar; I keep a close eye. But this was a military jet; for the most part pilots of jets are expected to have a higher level of taxiway understanding. I still blame the hot spot. As far as I am concerned the pilot realized his mistake; took action; and stopped the airplane. My phraseology is usually brutally clear for 11L at 'D.' I believe the best way; not just the best but a very effective way; to reduce the risk of a serious runway incursion is to add a 'wigwag' light bar at 'D.' these have been placed at various locations around tucson and seem to be very effective at their locations. This might not eliminate the confusion; but it would definitely be effective in getting a pilots attention among the dozen signs out there. Actually; if I were asked where would be the one location to install wigwags I would answer 11L at 'D.'

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An ATC Local Controller described a TUS Runway 11L incursion on Taxiway 'D' at Taxiway 'A2'. The Runway 11L Approach Path Clearway and the physical taxiway/runway visual characteristics allegedly confuse pilots. Reporter suggested the installation of wigwag lights could reduce the potential for confusion.

Narrative: I was working Ground Control combined with CIC. Local Control was training. I am unsure of the callsign of the aircraft; it is a military. I had taxied the military jet from the Jet Center which is located near 'D1' and 'D' intersection to Runway 11L at 'D.' This is a very simple route for an aircraft to follow. However for reasons which I will explain; as an aircraft approaches the Runway at this location many pilots are confused. The nose wheel only of the jet rolled passed the hold bar for 11L at 'D.' As you can see in the a photo of the 11L threshold; I think this technically is an approach area. I noticed this; and I felt no action needed to be taken. There was an aircraft landing roll at the time; which was no factor. There was also an aircraft on final; which also was not affected. I believe many pilots are confused as to the intersection of 11L at 'D' do to the following reasons; This is a documented hot spot; 'A' taxiway and 'D' taxiways intersect as well as 'A3' all in the same area. There are many signs out there. Arriving at 11L at 'D;' the threshold actually sits well to the left. Technically 'D' does not intersect with 11L. I believe to depart from 'D;' you have to taxi onto 'A2;' make a 90 degree left turn; and now taxi past the threshold for departure. This is significant for two reasons. First; usually when a pilot approaches a hold bar at X airport; the markings on the other side are white; indicating runway. Here they are yellow; indicating taxiways. The other reason is that at Tucson; as shown in the attached photo; the pavement on the other side of the hold bar (at 'D') is asphalt. While the runway is concrete. This adds to confusion and; on almost what seems like an hourly basis; aircraft that are taxied to 11L at 'D' actually end up taxiing to 11L at 'A4.' 'A4' is now concrete; not asphalt as in the photo. Pilots constantly hold at 'A' taxiway; about where the citation is in the picture; confused. Usually with general aviation pilots that seem unfamiliar; I keep a close eye. But this was a military jet; for the most part pilots of jets are expected to have a higher level of taxiway understanding. I still blame the hot spot. As far as I am concerned the pilot realized his mistake; took action; and stopped the airplane. My phraseology is usually brutally clear for 11L at 'D.' I believe the best way; not just the best but a very effective way; to reduce the risk of a serious runway incursion is to add a 'wigwag' light bar at 'D.' These have been placed at various locations around Tucson and seem to be very effective at their locations. This might not eliminate the confusion; but it would definitely be effective in getting a pilots attention among the dozen signs out there. Actually; if I were asked where would be the one location to install wigwags I would answer 11L at 'D.'

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.