Tower developmental and Instructor described a confused runway crossing event involving two vehicles requesting clearance to cross runways; both reporters indicating daily multiple runway crossing by vehicles were a contributing factor.
Synopsis
Tower developmental and Instructor described a confused runway crossing event involving two vehicles requesting clearance to cross runways; both reporters indicating daily multiple runway crossing by vehicles were a contributing factor.
Narrative
It occurred just after the position relief briefing and assuming control of the position. We were landing Runway XXL and departing Runway YYR in VFR conditions. I am in training on Ground Control and I had multiple vehicles to cross multiple active runways. County Operations vehicle was to cross Runway XXL on Runway YYL and a fire truck was to cross Runway YYR at Taxiway Sierra. Local Control initiated the crossing approval request for the fire truck with; 'Cross Runway YYR at Sierra.' I heard Local initiate the request and I then proceeded to tell County Operations vehicle to cross Runway XXL on Runway YYL. There was no traffic on short final for Runway XXL or any other traffic on that runway. Recommendation; I would make sure first and foremost that I hear and fully understand where the approval request was initiated before I speak to anyone about crossing a runway. Also it seems if a perimeter road was built around the airport; it would reduce the number of runway crossings necessary at the airport.
Second reporter narrative
We (my trainee and I) had just gotten on Ground Control (GC). When we took over; we were landing Runway XXL and departing Runway YYR. There was a fire truck who transitions needlessly; approximately 6 times a day across an active runway; waiting to cross Runway YYR at Taxiway S back to the ramp. There was also a County Operations vehicle on Runway YYL; waiting to cross Runway XXL. Before we took over GC; I noticed there was a heavy aircraft in the Runway ZZL run up pad facing southwest; so his engine thrust was being directed towards Runway YYR. My first thought was to find out how high the mechanics were running up their engines. As we were taking over the position; I heard Local Control (LC) tell my trainee; 'Cross Runway YYR at Taxiway S.' I thought this was all taken care of and I turned my thoughts back to the problem of the run-up aircraft. I didn't want them to blow a departing aircraft off the runway. The next thing I heard was the Local Controller asking my trainee; 'Where are you crossing?' I looked up to see that my trainee had apparently misheard the Local Controller and told County Operations vehicle to cross Runway XXL instead of doing as the Local Controller had told him. The fact that the fire truck transitions from the [base] ramp to the 'South ramp' at least 6 times a day is a major factor in this error. The fact that our new phraseology rules require us to tell aircraft to cross or hold short of all runways; even if those runways are inactive or closed; is also a major factor here. These rules do nothing but increase our workload; increase the pilot's workload; cause pilots to have to hold short of runways for no reason if we can't get to them in time; and also cause immense distraction to the Ground Controller. Recommendation; the crux of the problem at ZZZ is excess phraseology that is mandated by the FAA. The new phraseology that requires us to tell every aircraft to cross and hold short doubles; if not triples our workload. I would venture to say that approximately 30% of our initial taxi instructions are read back incorrectly by unfamiliar pilots. This adds even more to the workload. This new phraseology mandate is definitely not safer and I believe is even dangerous. The reason I say this is because pilots and controllers get conditioned to constantly saying cross; cross; cross. Until the time when we need to say hold short; we are so used to saying cross; that it isn't natural to say what needs to be said. Another recommendation I have that is specific to ZZZ; is when the fire trucks transition from their ramp across an active runway to what we call the South ramp. This crossing takes place at least 6 times per day and is unnecessary. If [they] could come up with an alternative route to get to their destination; this would greatly increase safety and would've definitely prevented the event that happened today.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.