Widebody Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Commercial
Confusion; Distraction; Fatigue; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport; Chart Or Publication; Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
While taxiing on Q to the cargo ramp initiated early turn at apparent entrance to BB. [I] stopped aircraft when questioned by First Officer. [I] was not sure if I could power out without contacting taxi lights; so called ramp personnel for tug. [We were] towed in without incident. No damage to any equipment; no disruption to ATC. NOTAM was read prior to flight; however; during flight the review of the parking diagram for the cargo ramp at ORD included depiction of straight taxi into BB. The graphic created an expectation in my mind that we would taxi straight into BB. When we arrived at the old BB exit there appeared to be a centerline. There was also an airport sign with BB that made it appear that there was a taxiway there. Finally; the old BB taxi lane ground painting is still visible. All three of these factors made me think I was turning into a taxiway. Because of the experience base of pilots having flown into ORD in the previous configuration; the closed section of BB should be painted with yellow cross-hatch to overcome the other factors and prevent someone from turning in again. The airport diagram for ORD needs immediate attention to depict the real configuration.
The reporter stated that Taxiway BB has been replaced by a new Taxiway BB about 100 FT further west when approached from the east on Taxiway Q. The signage location makes it appear that the old BB is still active because of several factors; the old BB centerline has been sand blasted; but the area where it was is still a gray color indistinguishable from the background. At night the ramp lights shining out from the ramp cause a reflection masking the fact that the taxiway no longer exists. The Taxiway BB signage leaves an expectation that the taxiway should be where it was.The airport diagram should accurately reflect the new BB location and the area where the old BB is located should have X's painted on it so that pilots know not to turn onto the old; now non existent; taxiway.
The old BB Taxiway is still very visible and is very misleading. The airport signage is also misleading and is not angled properly for the designated taxiways. The flysafe NOTAM is not sufficient to overcome the misleading visual cues.
A crew entering the cargo ramp at night nearly turned onto the old Taxiway BB because the taxiway signage was located near the old taxiway and there were no Xs painted on the old taxiway indicating it was closed.