Local controller approved a vehicle runway crossing of the active and then cleared an aircraft for t...

Narrative:

I had just put C172 in position on runway 31. There was a lot of discussion in the tower related to some new RNAV procedures we are currently implementing. I wasn't involved in the discussion but from the midst of the discussion; ground asked to cross runway 31. I think the coordinator also asked about the crossing at the same time because I had multiple voices addressing me at the same time. I was focusing on an aircraft I had just cleared for takeoff on with the intent of clearing C172 in position on runway 31 to turn behind him. I had a couple other aircraft queuing up for 31. I authorized the runway crossing; but promptly forgot. I had C172 in my peripheral vision as I was trying to gauge an appropriate time to launch behind the regional jet off of 2R. I cleared C172 for takeoff to a 090 heading. The pilot immediately said; 'I've got a lear in front of me.' I canceled his take off clearance. He never began takeoff roll. When the lear was clear; I cleared the aircraft for takeoff without incident. I would recommend to myself to use some sort of visual aid or memory jogger for all runway crossings regardless of traffic. We do not have a mandatory aid or policy on using aids at our facility. We do have some runway closed strips that I have used in the past and will now use in the future. Also in my hurry I neglected to use an appropriate runway scan.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Local Controller approved a vehicle runway crossing of the active and then cleared an aircraft for takeoff forgetting about the vehicle crossing.

Narrative: I had just put C172 in position on Runway 31. There was a lot of discussion in the Tower related to some new RNAV procedures we are currently implementing. I wasn't involved in the discussion but from the midst of the discussion; Ground asked to cross Runway 31. I think the Coordinator also asked about the crossing at the same time because I had multiple voices addressing me at the same time. I was focusing on an aircraft I had just cleared for takeoff on with the intent of clearing C172 in position on Runway 31 to turn behind him. I had a couple other aircraft queuing up for 31. I authorized the runway crossing; but promptly forgot. I had C172 in my peripheral vision as I was trying to gauge an appropriate time to launch behind the regional jet off of 2R. I cleared C172 for takeoff to a 090 heading. The pilot immediately said; 'I've got a Lear in front of me.' I canceled his take off clearance. He never began takeoff roll. When the Lear was clear; I cleared the aircraft for takeoff without incident. I would recommend to myself to use some sort of visual aid or memory jogger for all runway crossings regardless of traffic. We do not have a mandatory aid or policy on using aids at our facility. We do have some runway closed strips that I have used in the past and will now use in the future. Also in my hurry I neglected to use an appropriate runway scan.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 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.

Attributes
ACN	1049304
Time
Date	201211
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Phase	Taxi
Route In Use	None
Flight Plan	VFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Learjet 60
Flight Phase	Taxi
Route In Use	None
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Local
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Developmental
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Conflict Ground Conflict Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Local controller approved a vehicle runway crossing of the active and then cleared an aircraft for takeoff forgetting about the vehicle crossing.