Commercial Fixed Wing
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Time Pressure; Troubleshooting; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
General None Reported / Taken
Airport; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Procedure
ATC direct failure to advise hold short of RWY 9C in the initial clearance. After the switch from ground to another tower frequency no instruction was given to HOLD SHORT 9C. We were given clearance to Taxi M1; M; right onto RWY 22R HOLD SHORT OF ECHO. Aircraft Y was ahead of us given the same clearance HOLD SHORT ECHO monitor tower.Aircraft Y encroached RWY 9C as Aircraft Z was on its takeoff roll on 9C. ATC Controller YELLED  AIRCRAFT Y STOP! Immediately after Aircraft Z cancel takeoff clearance STOP! The commercial jet appeared from behind the hangars with the nose wheel off the ground in a slight right bank as the controller says DO YOU SEE THAT PLANE?!Aircraft Y was given a number to contact the tower.There are no 'wig wags' installed at any intersections along this runway. There are no stop bars installed. There are multiple obstructions to visibility. Taxiing into the sun is a factor.Runway markings and signage is unacceptable for the size and scope of the runway; and it's intended use.New construction all around the airport with pilots returning to work from furlough; and layoffs or leave of absence. Trust bias that ATC Is correct in the instructions given.Attempting to move aircraft with expedience rather than a structured taxi route. No designation of any 'hot spots ' on aeronautical charts.Cease and desist using RWY 22R as a taxi way!The use of this RWY as a taxi way is the inevitable set up for a mass casualty accident!
Reporter stated that ORD is no longer using standard taxi routes and that pilots are often being told to taxi in a direction opposite from what they are used to. Reporter observed that when instructions are issued to hold short of taxiways it causes confusion for pilots.
Eyewitness Pilot reported observing a critical ground conflict during taxi when an aircraft taxiied onto a runway while another aircraft was on takeoff roll at ORD airport.