Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
As the captain taxing the aircraft; I had to yield to a speeding catering truck. The truck looked freshly painted; Eastbound on the outer road parallel to taxi-way 'Juliet'; accelerated to a speed I would estimate at 60 m.p.h. seemingly in an attempt to out-speed my aircraft approaching the roadway and lined up with gate. This acceleration began near ramp spot '4' as my aircraft was taxing across ramp spot '7' with aircraft lights on. Again; noticing the accelerating truck; I slowed the aircraft to nearly a stop to avoid any impact with the truck.The truck driver seemed to notice my aircraft taxiing after clearing runway 27R on high speed taxiway K-4; decided to accelerate to a very high speed; and ultimately succeeded in beating the aircraft as the truck traveled on the outer roadway heading Eastbound. It was very clear the driver was intending on 'beating' the aircraft... not obeying the full 'Stop' points on the roadway either. The ground crew was in position for aircraft receipt; however; not stopping vehicular traffic such as the catering truck on the outer roadway and not sure if this is their responsibility. A call to our operations tower was made once the aircraft was safely parked at the gate and a description of the scenario and the truck were given. Thank you to our OPS Tower team for following up in an attempt to locate the driver of catering truck.Consider reminding and briefing all crews driving vehicles on the ramp to yield to aircraft. What is being missed from my experiences is adherence to the rule that a moving aircraft always has the 'right-of-way'...we should all know this and operate in full compliance. Not so much because it is the rule but much more so because of the potential consequences of injury to people and to our capitol. Consider a zero tolerance policy for unyielding company vehicles; involve our vendors and contract workers as well. As a pilot; that operates flights in and out of PHL; the incidence of unyielding vehicles to aircraft and therefore potential for personal injury and damage to equipment is expanding and occurring more and more often. Personal injury to people and damage to very expensive capitol such as our aircraft is preventable. Safety is synonymous with preventing personal injury as well as protecting revenue.
Air carrier Captain reports slowing down to avoid hitting a speeding catering truck; while approaching his gate in PHL.