Tower controller described a potential runway conflict when clearing an aircraft for takeoff with an...

Narrative:

A dash 8 had departed runway 8 and reported a bird strike. Airport operations was dispatched to conduct a runway inspection. Airport operations was instructed to proceed onto the runway after proper coordination had been accomplished; and the runway occupancy sign was lighted. Airport operations had been on the runway for a few minutes; while operations continued on other runways. Another dash 8 was taxiing towards runway 8; and I noted that I had a gap between departures and arrivals; so issued a takeoff clearance. Fortunately; airport operations heard this; and exited the runway; reporting clear of the runway before the dash 8 began his take off role. The lighted sign was turned on by the tower flm; but I did not use my usual memory jogger; which is to turn the strips face-down when a runway is occupied. I should have done this immediately upon putting the vehicle on the runway; and instead only saw the gap to launch.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Tower Controller described a potential runway conflict when clearing an aircraft for takeoff with an airport vehicle on the runway checking for debris; the vehicle cleared on his own hearing the ATC clearance.

Narrative: A Dash 8 had departed Runway 8 and reported a bird strike. Airport Operations was dispatched to conduct a runway inspection. Airport Operations was instructed to proceed onto the runway after proper coordination had been accomplished; and the runway occupancy sign was lighted. Airport Operations had been on the runway for a few minutes; while operations continued on other runways. Another Dash 8 was taxiing towards Runway 8; and I noted that I had a gap between departures and arrivals; so issued a takeoff clearance. Fortunately; Airport Operations heard this; and exited the runway; reporting clear of the runway before the Dash 8 began his take off role. The lighted sign was turned on by the Tower FLM; but I did not use my usual memory jogger; which is to turn the strips face-down when a runway is occupied. I should have done this immediately upon putting the vehicle on the runway; and instead only saw the gap to launch.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1032163
Time
Date	201208
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Dash 8 Series Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Takeoff
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Local
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Developmental
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown Ground Incursion Runway Inflight Event / Encounter Bird / Animal

Tower controller described a potential runway conflict when clearing an aircraft for takeoff with an airport vehicle on the runway checking for debris; the vehicle cleared on his own hearing the ATC clearance.