Air carrier flight crew reported getting confused by what seemed to be a vehicle crossing the departure end of the runway and ultimately continued takeoff after the vehicle finished crossing. The flight crew learned from ATC that there is an access road beyond the departure end of the runway that was most likely the cause of the confusing perspective and noted that it could lead to rejected takeoffs.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported getting confused by what seemed to be a vehicle crossing the departure end of the runway and ultimately continued takeoff after the vehicle finished crossing. The flight crew learned from ATC that there is an access road beyond the departure end of the runway that was most likely the cause of the confusing perspective and noted that it could lead to rejected takeoffs.
Narrative
Cleared to takeoff Runway 36R at MCO. Night/VMC. Right at 100 kt. call a vehicle with yellow flashing light on roof appeared to cross the departure end of runway at fairly high speed. It looked like an Operations vehicle. The vehicle was noted in the cockpit and with the crossing taking about 3 seconds - decision was verbalized to continue takeoff roll.Once with Departure; we notified the event and got a MCO Tower phone number to call once in ZZZ to discuss and that the Tower would review radar tapes to determine if this happened on the runway. Called once on deck in ZZZ and the Tower did not find any vehicle on radar that crossed our runway - but stated there is an access road beyond the departure end of the runway and that they had this issue come up before. On the takeoff roll it was impossible to have perspective on whether the crossing vehicle was at the departure end or beyond on an access road and if we were not past 100 kt. and seeing the vehicle moving quickly; a rejected takeoff was very possible.
Second reporter narrative
On the takeoff roll on [Runway] 36R at about 110 kts.; we noticed what looked like a vehicle crossing the runway. We continued the takeoff because it was deemed not a threat. We informed Departure of what we saw; they gave us a phone number for Tower; and the Captain called after landing in ZZZ. It turns out there is an access road beyond the departure end of the runway; but it can be deceiving when vehicles are on it as they look like they're crossing the runway. Just wanted to get the info out there for others to beware.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.