Date: 202001
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: CYVR.Airport, BC
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Night
Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Taxi
ATC / advisory: Ground CYVR
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Not Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Confusion
Second reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
When detected: Taxi
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert
Contributing factors: Airport; Environment - Non Weather Related
Primary problem: Airport

Narrative: Ground cleared us to taxi to Runway 08R after crossing Runway 13 via L; hold short L. As we taxied to 08R via L; there was Aircraft Y holding short of 08R at L4. The Captain (CA) pulled in behind the Aircraft Y as it was taxing onto Runway 08R. I told the CA we were cleared to L; but this was my first time to this runway; and he said they usually want us at L4. I contacted ground to verify. Ground stated they cleared us to L not L4; but if we were able to depart L4; we could depart 08R at L4. The CA said yes we can take the L4 as the full length runway was 11;500 feet and L4 would not be an issue.The main contributing factor was the Aircraft Y holding short of L4 of 08R in which we pulled in behind. This was night time; and the signage could be brighter for taxing to L; as you must veer to the right; and loop around back to Runway 08R. The crew was given clearance to depart 08R at L4 by Ground Control prior to taxing onto the runway.L4 at 08R is well lit at night and very wide with lots of room. During night operations; crews should incorporate the possibility of pulling up to L4; and not L due to the size of the taxiway. The lesson I learned was to always contact Ground to confirm; should any confusion arise with where they cleared you to taxi to.


Second narrative: We received taxi instructions to taxi to Runway 8R via Taxiway L after crossing another runway. We were at the Taxiway L/L4 intersection and due to poor lighting and nighttime conditions it was difficult to determine our location at that time. We taxied past the taxiway directional sign array and there was no ground-based location marking for Taxiway L4. At this intersection for L4 and L; L4 leads to the threshold markings. Because we were unfamiliar with this area; we presumed that we were staying on L when in fact we turned on to L4. We held short of 8R and we were advised by Tower that we turned on to wrong taxiway. There was no incursion or safety hazard.Contributing factors to this situation were: Poor lighting; unfamiliarity with this area of the airport. Nighttime conditions; new crew; possible inadequate airport marking.In order to prevent a situation like this from happening again we will better identify threats such as unfamiliarity and environmental factors that may lead to confusion during ground operations. Additionally; the airport markings at this intersection and or environment could be improved to help pilots new to this airport navigate well on the ground. Thus; enhancing airport operational safety.


Synopsis: Air carrier flight crew reported that poor lighting; inadequate airport markings; night time conditions; and lack of familiarity with the CYVR airport resulted in a taxiway incursion.