Ground controller described a go-around event when two vehicles with similar call signs were request...

Narrative:

I was working ground control and clearance delivery combined with training in progress on the local position. FAA mobile vehicle abc called ground control and requested to drive near the threshold of runway xxr. I misunderstood the transmission. I thought he was requesting runway xxl. I coordinated with local when able drive runway xxl from the approach end and hold short of runway yy. Local had a VFR cessna inbound to runway xxl; but local changed them to runway xxr; so I could use the threshold area for runway xxl. After getting approval from local control; I told mobile abc to drive runway xxl hold short of runway yy. Mobile abc responded that he wanted runway xxr not runway xxl. I instructed mobile abc to hold short of runway xxr because the cessna was not inbound to that runway. After these transmissions; mobile air data computer called me requesting to proceed to the runway 36 glide slope area on the other side of the airfield. I had some confusion with mobile abc; and a talked to him more than usual. I immediately responded to mobile air data computer's request; but I said mobile abc drive as requested hold short of runways xxr; xxl; and yy. Mobile abc and air data computer both started moving. Mobile abc went up to the threshold of xxr but not on the runway; and the cessna was on final to that runway. Mobile air data computer proceeded to the runway 36 glide slope at the same time. The cessna was instructed to go around because mobile abc was near the threshold of the runway. There was no runway incursion; but the cessna was sent around just in case. I should be more alert with similar sounding vehicles and what requests are being made. Although I made some mistakes in this situation; having FAA mobile vehicle callsigns not be so similar would help save some confusion. Mobile air data computer and abc sound very alike.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Ground Controller described a go-around event when two vehicles with similar call signs were requesting access to runways. The reporter noted more care should have been exercised by all involved.

Narrative: I was working Ground Control and Clearance Delivery combined with training in progress on the Local position. FAA Mobile Vehicle ABC called Ground Control and requested to drive near the threshold of Runway XXR. I misunderstood the transmission. I thought he was requesting Runway XXL. I coordinated with Local when able drive Runway XXL from the approach end and hold short of Runway YY. Local had a VFR Cessna inbound to Runway XXL; but local changed them to Runway XXR; so I could use the threshold area for Runway XXL. After getting approval from Local Control; I told Mobile ABC to drive Runway XXL hold short of Runway YY. Mobile ABC responded that he wanted Runway XXR not Runway XXL. I instructed Mobile ABC to hold short of Runway XXR because the Cessna was not inbound to that runway. After these transmissions; Mobile ADC called me requesting to proceed to the Runway 36 glide slope area on the other side of the airfield. I had some confusion with Mobile ABC; and a talked to him more than usual. I immediately responded to Mobile ADC's request; but I said Mobile ABC drive as requested hold short of Runways XXR; XXL; and YY. Mobile ABC and ADC both started moving. Mobile ABC went up to the threshold of XXR but not on the runway; and the Cessna was on final to that runway. Mobile ADC proceeded to the Runway 36 glide slope at the same time. The Cessna was instructed to go around because Mobile ABC was near the threshold of the runway. There was no runway incursion; but the Cessna was sent around just in case. I should be more alert with similar sounding vehicles and what requests are being made. Although I made some mistakes in this situation; having FAA mobile vehicle callsigns not be so similar would help save some confusion. Mobile ADC and ABC sound very alike.

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	1102285
Time
Date	201307
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Landing
Route In Use	None
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Function	Ground
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Clearance Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown

Ground controller described a go-around event when two vehicles with similar call signs were requesting access to runways. The reporter noted more care should have been exercised by all involved.