Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 406; Flight Crew Type 12500
Confusion
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Airport; Human Factors; Weather
Weather in DCA was two miles visibility with rain and 300 overcast. It was night.  This is a general Safety concern about the taxiway markings and signage on the ground in DCA and around the gate area.  The taxiway markings are horrible at night; and when you throw in rain to wash out any discernible taxi markings; there might as well be no markings at all. In rain conditions at night you can barely make out the center taxi line using your taxi lights. A few times I had to use my landing lights to see any of the markings at all.  As we traveled on Taxiway K to the terminal; any lines on the taxiway seemed to disappear in the rain.  You could make out blue reflectors on the centerline; but they did not reflect any of my taxi light. Upon entering the ramp area; with multiple vehicles moving around; and parked aircraft; all pretense of safety marking seemed to follow the rain; right down the drain.  You could see none of the markings that defined a Safety Zone; parking spots; or the centerline of the parking spot. It was only because of good communication with my FO that we were able to figure it all out; and arrive safely at the gate with no damage to the aircraft; or a taxiway incursion.Both Company and FAA need to fix this; not only at DCA but at many of the airports in our system. This was a night event with rain and no snow. I should be able to see the Safety markings while taxiing.
Air carrier Captain reported that taxiway markings; signage; and markings associated with parking spots at DCA are difficult to see at night during rainy conditions.