Air Carrier Captain reported improvements in MIA ramp markings would reduce taxi confusion.

Date: 2022-01 · Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing · Phase: taxi

Anomalies: deviation-discrepancy-procedural-clearance|ground-incursion-taxiway

Synopsis

Air Carrier Captain reported improvements in MIA ramp markings would reduce taxi confusion.

Narrative

At night in MIA; after [a] rainstorm; taxiing in from landing on Runway 9. Clearance after crossing Runway 30 on Taxiway V; was 'V P HH hold short Y1.' As I approached [the Taxiway] P and Y intersection I observed an aircraft taxiing south on [Taxiway] HH approaching the Y2 intersection. At this moment I mistakenly thought the approaching aircraft was on [Taxiway] JJ; and I turned northbound on Taxiway Y thinking it was HH. As soon as I turned; I realized my mistake and stopped the aircraft short of [Taxiway] Y2. The approaching aircraft had stopped on HH; also short of Y2. I informed ground of my mistake and was given clearance to continue north on [Taxiway] Y and to transition to HH on Y2. The southbound aircraft continued clearance to transition to Y at Y2.In hindsight; that particular intersection area is an unlit wide open concrete pad that has many taxiways merging in a small area with many taxiway signs. I do believe in these particular intersections; it would be helpful to have the taxiway identifier painted on the tarmac with the lead in lines; much like the spot markings approaching airport gates. However; I could have prevented this situation; and will avoid repeating this in the future by simply stopping the aircraft when any doubt arises.

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