Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60; Flight Crew Total 15154; Flight Crew Type 2325
Distraction
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Airport
While taxiing to RWY 28L on taxiway A1 at HWD; I passed the hold short line before I realized it. There were several contributing factors:1. The hold short line markings were not very well marked (faded).2. The hold short line markings were located in an unusual (non-standard) location relative to the run up area. They are located before the run up area; instead of between the run up area and the runway threshold which is normal; so during taxi; we were expecting and looking for them further ahead beyond the hold short area.3. Taxiing uphill on that taxiway with the sun shining in our eyes made it difficult for the crew to see any markings; and especially the hold short line until we were right on top of it (First Officer saw it just as we crossed it; I did not see it at all as I was looking up at the time).4. An outside distraction occurred at the moment we were about to cross the hold short line: I was looking up at two light single engine aircraft maneuvering close together on what seemed to me to be an unusually low and tight base to final turn right in front of us. Because I was looking up at them for a few seconds; I did not see the hold short line as I crossed it; though my First Officer noticed it just as we were about to cross it. He failed to call it out. We are conducting additional CRM and SOP training to address that failure.Because of the unusual location of the hold short markings for Runway 28L on taxiway A1; I think that the airport should put up a vividly marked sign at the entrance to taxiway A1 that warns of the unusual location of the hold short line. Maybe a white sign with a red border or similar.
Gulfstream Captain reported they passed the Runway 28L hold short line on Taxiway A1 at HWD.