Large Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 224; Flight Crew Type 11114
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Airport
Ramp Control cleared us to the gate. As I started to make the right turn into the gate; two unmarked white vans driving from my right to the left did not give way. I stopped when we saw them. They continued westbound across the ramp; apparently unaware of us. Continuing to join the line at a very slow 'walking' pace; about half way through the turn; the FO shouted for me to stop. I came to a fairly abrupt stop; and the FO told me another unmarked vehicle had nearly cut us off again. I never saw the vehicle as it was slightly behind the right wing; but the FO estimated he was 20-30 feet from the wingtip when both of us stopped. We continued to the gate uneventfully. The FO reported the incident to Ramp Control; but he said he could not see our aircraft.First; the gate sign at the gate was unlit. Second; the overall lighting at the gate was so poor the area appeared almost as a 'black hole'. In fact; during my taxi in; neither the FO nor I initially saw the line; and I overshot the turn as we were looking for it. We got permission from Ramp Control to make a turn in the open ramp area to re-align; and I used additional aircraft turn-off lights to help acquire the line. We commented to Ramp Control that the gate sign was inoperative and the lighting was very bad. He said he had seen the gate sign go out a few moments prior to our arrival; and he knew the lighting was bad. The marshaller was in place with lighted wands; but I don't think they saw the vehicles cutting us off due to the speed of the vehicles; and aircraft parked on gates either side of [our] gate. The two things that saved us were a very slow; deliberate taxi speed; and an attentive and assertive FO.At night; the lighting is so bad at the gate that without a lighted gate sign; it actually appears there is no gate at that location. I believe the vehicles in the driving lane did not see the gate area either; and likely did not think any aircraft would turn into that spot.This poorly lit ramp area invites confusion by aircrews and vehicles alike. Make sure the gate signs are operative at night. Consider adding wing walkers near the vehicle driving lane on each side of the wings at night. The line and clearance zone lines should also be more easily visible.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
Air carrier flight crew taxiing into ramp had to come to an abrupt stop to prevent hitting an unmarked vehicle transiting the ramp.