Medium Large Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff
Human Factors; Procedure
All operations were normal; including our clearance to line up and wait on the runway. The Captain noted that a vehicle appeared to be in the distance; however it appeared to me that is was very far away and probably on a taxiway past the end of the runway.Immediately after taxing onto the runway we were cleared for takeoff; fly heading 220. I made the normal callouts; and after the 80 KTS call I looked up and the Captain called out abort takeoff. I saw the vehicle approaching; and 1 or 2 seconds later the Tower told us to cancel takeoff clearance. The Captain recognized that there was in fact a vehicle on the runway and it was driving towards us. As we slowed to a roll the vehicle exited the runway on a high-speed exit roughly 1;000 feet in front of us. The Tower Controller advised us to exit the runway and contact Ground Control; and apologized for making the mistake of clearing us for takeoff while a vehicle was inspecting the runway. No further contact with ATC was required regarding the event.Being more cautious and vocal with ATC concerning vehicles potentially on the runway. It would be helpful if inspection vehicles were on Tower frequency; or if ATC would announce or advise when vehicles will enter onto and off of an active runway.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
Air carrier flight crew executed a rejected takeoff after seeing a vehicle on the departure runway.