DCA Local Controller reported an aircraft nearly taxied onto Runway 1 without clearance while taxiing on Taxiway J before the crew was stopped by Ground Control. Reporter stated flight crews frequently mistake Runway 1 for Taxiway J.

Narrative

I was working Local control and had an arrival on about a 1/4 mile final. I scanned down the runway and noticed Aircraft X taxiing on Taxiway J and turning left to continue onto Runway 1. I alerted Ground Control to reach out to Aircraft X and have them turn the aircraft back onto Taxiway J before they went onto the runway. Ground Control keyed up and told Aircraft X to turn right immediately to join Taxiway J. Aircraft X immediately turned and did not cross the hold short line for Runway 1.We have had multiple incidents of aircraft inadvertently taxiing out onto Runway 1/19. We have had multiple meetings with Airport Operations to try and remedy this but Airport Operations complains that most of our suggestions are too expensive and they do not want to or cannot spend the money on the ideas we have.We have suggested that they put runway guard lights (wig wag lights) or yellow lights within the painted hold short lines to indicate that the aircraft is approaching a runway. Because of our limited real estate and smaller taxiways; flight crews are mistaking Runway 1/19 for Taxiway J. This is happening on a very consistent basis. We have had approximately 5 runway incursions or ALMOST incursions over the past few months just like this incident.This is a very serious safety matter at DCA that must be addressed as soon as possible before something catastrophic happens.