Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 4
Distraction; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert
Human Factors; Weather
BTR was LIFR [Low Instrument Flight Rules]; VV002 and Vis was 1/4. Aircraft Y was taxied to RWY13 via Echo--Bravo without issue. Aircraft X was taxied to RWY 13 using the same route. The Ground Controller kept Aircraft X on a short leash and issued multiple hold short and reporting instructions. Aircraft X was first told to hold short of Bravo. Aircraft X reported holding short of Bravo and was told to make a left onto Bravo and hold short of RWY 22L at Bravo. Ground Control received the crossing from me (Local Controller) and crossed Aircraft X across RWYs 22L and 22R; and Aircraft X reported across RWY 22R. Aircraft Y called ready at [Runway] 13. I instructed Aircraft Y to hold short of [Runway] 13 and stated I wanted to verify the position of another aircraft one more time. Ground Control confirmed that Aircraft X was established on Bravo. I cleared Aircraft Y for takeoff. After Aircraft Y departed; Aircraft X reported that he was sitting at Echo/Echo 1. In order for Aircraft X to be at Echo/Echo 1; Aircraft X never made the turn onto Bravo and never crossed the parallel runways; but crossed the active; RWY 13; [which] Aircraft Y departed from. The Ground Controller issued a Brasher Warning and taxied Aircraft X to RWY 22R since that would be the easiest/closest runway to depart from.BTR has had multiple issues with incursions. As part of the LSC [Local Safety Council] that just got updated; [it] recommended to the airport that their vehicle/mower operator numbers be simplified; which they did. [Also]; on each controller's birth month; each controller gets an airfield tour by Airport Ops. We received word from AJI [Safety and Technical Training] [that] we did everything that we could have to prevent this; yet it still happened. The pilot never admitted that they were lost. They lied to the Ground Control when they reported being on the expected taxiway at least 3 times. The pilot needs to be held to the same standard that we are and at a minimum; needs to have their license suspended. I would recommend going through ground school again. It is the weekend warrior that has posed the most danger.Since BTR is in the Top 5 for [Runway] incursions; I would recommend ASDE [Airport Surface Detection Equipment] as well; [I'm] not holding my breath. I would also recommend 'wig wags' at every intersection and in-ground flashing lights at every intersection. During our LSC discussions; it has been stated that we are lucky that we haven't knocked somebody out of the sky. This was by far the closest I have ever come and it wasn't because of something that we did as controllers.
Reported stated same information as reported and would like to see some input/help from the FAA as this is a Top 5 airport; [reporter thought] for runway incursions. Reporter would like equipment as requested in report for the airport.
BTR Tower Controller reported a runway incursion due to weather and pilot not following correct taxi instructions which could have ended in a disaster.