Narrative:

After exiting the runway 1L at sfo; ground control cleared us to the ramp via east; B; H; and a. Because of the heavy traffic on a and an aircraft leaving the ramp; the captain stopped the aircraft on a to let traffic out of the ramp. The captain continued to monitor ground on VHF 1 while I announced that I was calling ramp on VHF 2. After the third clarification with ramp; we were cleared via spot 2; hold at spot 4 for outbound traffic; and then to the gate.due to extremely poor lighting; lack of signage; and confusion over charts; we entered the ramp towards spot 1. However; once we realized that we were possibly on the wrong line; the captain stopped the aircraft until we both agreed where we were and where we needed to go. The outbound aircraft was also heading towards spot 3. We then crossed to spot 2 and proceeded towards spot 4. Once the aircraft passed on line one; I told ramp we were at spot 4; and the traffic was clear. Ramp acknowledged with no further comment and we taxied to the gate. At no time were we in conflict with any aircraft in the ramp area nor did ramp advise us of any error.I had synced my efb (electronic flight bag) prior to the trip and thought that everything was updated correctly. However the first day of our trip; the sfo spot information page updated (two days prior) which changed the markings of spots 1 and 2. This change did not make it into my spot information; so I was showing the reverse markings of spots 1 and 2 on my efb. After we taxied towards spot 1 and could finally see the pavement markings; I verified my 10-9 page with the captain and we were then in agreement with the correct location.the combination of poor lighting; construction and lack of signage makes it extremely difficult to discern the correct path into the ramp. It had been some time since either of us had been there at night and the taxi lighting had changed. The blue outlined median dividing the entryway between M1 and M2 appears to be the edge of the ramp coming from a and the only way into the ramp is via spot 1. Additionally; there are no signs showing which line is which other than pavement markings and the lack of lighting leaves them completely blacked out until almost on top of them. There really needs to be some signage showing which line is which at the entrance of the ramp. In such a busy and congested area as sfo; this can greatly help a crew taxiing in at night and with other factors such as low visibility and rain.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 flight crew reported that a combination of poor lighting; construction; and lack of signage made it extremely difficult to discern the correct path into the ramp.

Narrative: After exiting the Runway 1L at SFO; Ground Control cleared us to the ramp via E; B; H; and A. Because of the heavy traffic on A and an aircraft leaving the ramp; the Captain stopped the aircraft on A to let traffic out of the ramp. The Captain continued to monitor ground on VHF 1 while I announced that I was calling ramp on VHF 2. After the third clarification with Ramp; we were cleared via Spot 2; hold at Spot 4 for outbound traffic; and then to the gate.Due to extremely poor lighting; lack of signage; and confusion over charts; we entered the ramp towards Spot 1. However; once we realized that we were possibly on the wrong line; the Captain stopped the aircraft until we both agreed where we were and where we needed to go. The outbound aircraft was also heading towards Spot 3. We then crossed to Spot 2 and proceeded towards Spot 4. Once the aircraft passed on line one; I told Ramp we were at Spot 4; and the traffic was clear. Ramp acknowledged with no further comment and we taxied to the gate. At no time were we in conflict with any aircraft in the ramp area nor did Ramp advise us of any error.I had synced my EFB (Electronic Flight Bag) prior to the trip and thought that everything was updated correctly. However the first day of our trip; the SFO spot information page updated (two days prior) which changed the markings of Spots 1 and 2. This change did not make it into my spot information; so I was showing the reverse markings of Spots 1 and 2 on my EFB. After we taxied towards Spot 1 and could finally see the pavement markings; I verified my 10-9 page with the Captain and we were then in agreement with the correct location.The combination of poor lighting; construction and lack of signage makes it extremely difficult to discern the correct path into the ramp. It had been some time since either of us had been there at night and the taxi lighting had changed. The blue outlined median dividing the entryway between M1 and M2 appears to be the edge of the ramp coming from A and the only way into the ramp is via Spot 1. Additionally; there are no signs showing which line is which other than pavement markings and the lack of lighting leaves them completely blacked out until almost on top of them. There really needs to be some signage showing which line is which at the entrance of the ramp. In such a busy and congested area as SFO; this can greatly help a Crew taxiing in at night and with other factors such as low visibility and rain.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.