No Aircraft
Air Traffic Control Developmental
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Human Factors; Procedure
The active runway at the time of the incident was 1L. Vehicle X; was working on Runway 7R. The driver said; 'When able; I'd like to cross Runway 1L to work on the east side of Runway 1L on Runway 7R.' I replied by saying; 'roger.' Vehicle X driver responded; 'Roger; crossing Runway 1L.' At this point; Aircraft X was on its takeoff roll on Runway 1L. I instructed the vehicle to hold position and; when the driver did not immediately respond; I yelled 'stop' several times. Vehicle X stopped and the Local Controller instructed Aircraft X to abort its takeoff. Vehicle X stopped and Aircraft X exited the runway without further incident.I believe the primary factor in this incident was the driver's misunderstanding of my acknowledgment of his request to cross the runway as an approval to do so.
MKE Tower Controller reported a vehicle requested to cross a runway; Controller responded with roger; the vehicle moved across the runway which caused an aircraft on the runway to abort their takeoff.