Narrative:

We were taxiing for takeoff on taxiway K to runway 9L in philadelphia. Somewhere approaching K5 on the taxi; we were cleared for takeoff. The captain called for the takeoff checklist. As I was completing the checklist the captain hit the brakes because we were taxiing past K6 which would be our left turn to enter runway 9L. He could have made about a 130 degree turn to the left to still make the taxiway (it is almost like a reverse high speed coming from that direction) but we decided to inform ATC. He told us to taxi K; Y; P; west hold short of 9L. As we continued the taxi the tower controller remarked that it wasn't a big deal and that it happens a lot at that particular location. He said that we were far from the first plane to do that at K/K6 for a 9L takeoff. He asked us if the signage was poor or what we thought may have been the reason. We remarked that it was sorta dark still and we followed the green lights on the taxiway center line. In flight we discussed it and that it can tend to be a confusing area. We are used to the end of the taxiway being the end of the runway; in this case not only is that false; but they are not far from each other; so it almost gives you a sense that it is. Taxi charts were out on both sides of the flight deck; the taxi was briefed while at the gate.as I mentioned; ATC said that that area has had this event happen several times. Possibly better signage in that area might help with the heads out portion of the taxi; though I do not exactly recall what signage is already available in that particular area. Possibly some other markings in the pavement that identify it. I could have split my duties between the takeoff checklist and helping the taxi better as well; as we were coming up on a weird sort of area.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CRJ50 First Officer describes missing the left turn from Taxiway K to K6 for takeoff on Runway 9L at PHL. Early morning darkness and a possible lack of signage were cited as factors.

Narrative: We were taxiing for takeoff on Taxiway K to Runway 9L in Philadelphia. Somewhere approaching K5 on the taxi; we were cleared for takeoff. The Captain called for the takeoff checklist. As I was completing the checklist the Captain hit the brakes because we were taxiing past K6 which would be our left turn to enter Runway 9L. He could have made about a 130 degree turn to the left to still make the taxiway (it is almost like a reverse high speed coming from that direction) but we decided to inform ATC. He told us to taxi K; Y; P; W hold short of 9L. As we continued the taxi the Tower Controller remarked that it wasn't a big deal and that it happens a lot at that particular location. He said that we were far from the first plane to do that at K/K6 for a 9L takeoff. He asked us if the signage was poor or what we thought may have been the reason. We remarked that it was sorta dark still and we followed the green lights on the taxiway center line. In flight we discussed it and that it can tend to be a confusing area. We are used to the end of the taxiway being the end of the runway; in this case not only is that false; but they are not far from each other; so it almost gives you a sense that it is. Taxi charts were out on both sides of the flight deck; the taxi was briefed while at the gate.As I mentioned; ATC said that that area has had this event happen several times. Possibly better signage in that area might help with the heads out portion of the taxi; though I do not exactly recall what signage is already available in that particular area. Possibly some other markings in the pavement that identify it. I could have split my duties between the takeoff checklist and helping the taxi better as well; as we were coming up on a weird sort of area.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.