Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 9
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure
While on GCN (Ground Control North) I had 2 aircraft under tow; holding waiting to cross at different locations. One holding short of rwy 8L at L7 and one short of runway 8R at M11. I instructed Tug X to cross runway 8R to which he replied 'Crossing runway 8R'. Tug X was actually holding short of runway 8L and begin to cross runway 8L instead. At the same time Aircraft X was beginning his takeoff roll on runway 8L. ASDE-X alerted and Aircraft X aborted and returned for takeoff.Crossing was issued during a relief briefing. Next time let the relieving controller issue the crossing.
I had just started my shift and we were in the process of a relief briefing for me to take over the combined GC (Ground Control) positions. I was told about 2 tugs currently holding short of runways. Before giving me the position the relieving controller said something along the lines of 'I'll just go ahead and cross him;' meaning the one that was only supposed to cross the closed runway. He apparently chose the wrong one and actually instructed the tug that was holding midfield to the active runway to cross. I mentioned to the GC that the other tug was moving and didn't look to be stopping. The ASDE-X alarm went off and the LC (Local Controller) aborted the takeoff of the Aircraft X departure The tugs on the ASDE-X were primary targets only. They could have been 'tagged up' with their callsigns to alleviate confusion.
MIA Ground Controllers reported a runway incursion due to the wrong tug being crossed at the wrong intersection as a departure starting to roll.