B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 230; Flight Crew Total 2734; Flight Crew Type 2734
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport; Human Factors; Procedure
We were approaching Gate XX at ZZZ in day; VMC conditions. As we entered the ramp on the Charlie line from the south port the Captain verbalized the threat of vehicle traffic crossing in front of the aircraft as we approached the gate because there is a busy vehicle traffic lane running adjacent to the B terminal. We scanned out of our respective sides of the aircraft and identified multiple vehicles approaching to pass in front of our gate.As we were approximately one half airplane length from crossing the vehicle lane and with marshalers in position we expected to see the approaching vehicles slow and stop. Instead the first of the few; a tow vehicle with baggage cart in tow; accelerated to pass in front of us. We were at a slow speed but the Captain braked to yield and bring us to a stop. Now more cautious the Captain resumed a slow taxi and we observed a larger tow vehicle with large trailer in tow accelerate to pass in front of us. The Captain braked again and a third baggage tow vehicle raced in front of us.We identified the safety infractions to ramp and the Ramp Controller confirmed that she observed the actions of the ground traffic and was on the phone; presumably to pass feedback. The ramp controller suggested that the marshalers may not have been sufficiently positioned out in the alley for vehicles to recognize that an aircraft was approaching; but based on the position of the aircraft there was no doubt that we were arriving to the gate and that the vehicles should have yielded.
B737 flight crew reported that several ground vehicles failed to yield; resulting in a critical ground conflict.