An air carrier pilot reported insufficient runway lighting at BOS Runway 33R/4R intersection makes it difficult to see runway markings and could cause taxi errors.

Date: 2021-10 · Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing · Phase: taxi

Anomalies: ground-event-encounter-ground-equipment-issue|inflight-event-encounter-weather-turbulence

Synopsis

An air carrier pilot reported insufficient runway lighting at BOS Runway 33R/4R intersection makes it difficult to see runway markings and could cause taxi errors.

Narrative

This is an informational report/operational safety concern at BOS. Upon our night landing (autoland due to low ceilings; rain and reduced visibility) on BOS Runway 4R; we were given instructions to clear the runway via a left turn on to Runway 33R. During this low-speed turn with all appropriate aircraft lights on; it was difficult to identify and differentiate markings and the few runway edge lights associated with both runways at this intersection. As Runway 33R has no centerline lighting; the first centerline stripe on this runway is a fair distance beyond the intersection and was not immediately visible in the wet conditions during the turn. Additionally; unlike the far end of Runway 33R where yellow lead-on/off lines to Runway 33R-15L serve Runway 4L; no such markings appeared visible to me at the 33R/4R intersection. Improperly making; misjudging or misinterpreting the left turn onto Runway 33R from Runway 4R could be an issue under night/weather conditions such as ours due to a combination of confusing and meager lighting and markings at this location. In our case; our aircraft's lights illuminating Runway 33R's northern barrier stripe and the grass beyond while turning was our best cue to keep on with the left turn and join with the first centerline stripe further down the way on Runway 33R. This is an informational report for dissemination. There was no excursion.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.