Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 8
Distraction; Situational Awareness; Confusion; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Human Factors; Procedure
Runway 35 in use. Plowing in progress on both runway 35 and 6. Visibility approx. 1 mile. This occurred after opening local control for the first time of the day after the midnight operation; which was consolidated at ground control (This is normal procedure). I opened Local and was briefed that A4 was the contact for runway 6 plow vehicles and A6 was the contact for runway 35 plow vehicles. Shortly after I took the position I asked A6 to report all vehicles clear of runway 35 for a departure. A6 complied and advised all vehicles holding short of runway 35. I advised A4 to report all vehicles holding short of runway 35 on runway 6. A4 reported A4 off the field at maintenance. I did not see any vehicles on either runway during my scan before issuing a takeoff clearance to the departing aircraft. The aircraft departed without incident. A minute or two after the departure; I noticed several vehicles on runway 6. I was not expecting any vehicles on runway 6 because A4 (whom I thought was the runway 6 contact) reported clear of the field. Between the ground controller and I; we were able to gather that not A4; but B4 was the contact for runway 6. I am not sure where the breakdown in communication occurred. I believe that although; there is a communication problem here; it stems from a bigger problem. The bigger issue; I believe is the contributing factor that we can no longer have one vehicle be the contact for both runways. If we had one vehicle be the 'snow boss' for both runways; like we used to; there would only be one vehicle that Local control has to communicate with to ensure all runways are vacated.I highly recommend removing the restriction that prohibits plow vehicles from being granted clearance onto both runways at the same time. It creates a lengthened process for insuring runways are clear of vehicles; and adds unnecessary complexity to the scenario at the most critical moments; when the visibility is at or near zero; and there are already additional tasks required of the Local controller.
MHT Local control reported of attempting to clear the runway of vehicles for a departure. Controller though he cleared the runway and departed the aircraft. Minutes later vehicles were observed on a runway. Controller found out the vehicle he thought was in charge; was not. There was another vehicle that was in charge they found out.