Date: 201304
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: Marginal
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Takeoff / Launch
Airspace: Class B ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Tower ZZZ
Second aircraft: Embraer Jet Undifferentiated or Other Model
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Not Flying
Second reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control; Person Flight Crew
When detected: Taxi
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff
Contributing factors: Airport; Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Ambiguous

Narrative: We were cleared to line up and wait after an Embraer was cleared for takeoff. Upon lining up we were given clearance to turn left to XX HDG and cleared for takeoff. I began reading back the heading as I am looking up at the FCP and PFD to set the proper heading and then slowed my read back as I saw the previous aircraft was still on the runway and tried to figure out what the previous aircraft was doing. The Captain recognized what had happened (the previous aircraft aborted their takeoff) right away and did not add power or release brakes as we waited in position. As soon as I finished my read back; ATC came back on the radio and told us to abort takeoff (which I was just about to inform them of myself). We were told to taxi off the runway as there was also another aircraft on approach. We did the Rejected Takeoff QRH after clearing and taxied off the runway followed by after landing. As this wasn't a rejected takeoff per the CFM (no takeoff thrust added and no takeoff roll) and after contacting Dispatch to advise of what happened we completed all checklists and took off. ATC should not have cleared us for takeoff with an aircraft still on the runway and I should have realized the aircraft was aborting sooner and not finished my read back; instead saying 'unable'.


Second narrative: As we taxied Tower cleared us into position and hold. The preceding aircraft; an Embrear was cleared for takeoff and was at least halfway down the runway when we were cleared for takeoff by Tower. I released the brakes; looked up and noticed that the Embrear had not lifted off the ground yet (when he would normally be airborne). A second later; the Embrear reported that he was aborting his takeoff. Tower then immediately instructed us to cancel our takeoff clearance as well. Our aircraft had only rolled about 5 FT with Thrust Levers at IDLE power. Tower gave us further instructions to expedite off the runway with a left turn off onto the taxiway; as additional traffic had sidestepped and was approaching to land on our runway. We expedited our taxi off the runway and set the parking brake once we were on the taxiway. Tower queried the Embrear as to the reason for the abort and the Embrear stated that the abort was due to a B767 crossing down field on [a non intersecting] taxiway; creating an optical illusion that made it seem that he was crossing the runway. We then told Tower that we would need to wait a bit for a subsequent attempt at takeoff. I decided to call our Dispatcher and ask him if he felt it necessary for us to wait 15 minutes for the brake heating time [after a rejected takeoff] that never had takeoff power applied. He agreed with myself and First Officer that it wasn't necessary to wait since the thrust levers were never brought up to takeoff power. We then re-ran all checklists that were previously completed (taxi; before takeoff).Notes are provided on our briefing page that illustrates the optical illusion that can be experienced in this scenario. However; I would strongly suggest that Tower begin implementing a procedure that requires the Tower Controller to warn the pilot in the takeoff clearance of traffic crossing down field on a taxiway; of being no factor to the departing traffic. This would help immensely in mitigating a potentially dangerous situation in the future; especially when Tower is clearing aircraft in quick succession for takeoff as well as sidestepping them to land on the same runway. This would further eliminate this element of surprise for aircraft; like the Embraer; that don't frequently operate in and out of this airport.


Synopsis: CRJ-200 flight crew reports being cleared for takeoff behind an Embraer jet; but before thrust can be set the Embraer crew rejects their takeoff. A B767; on a non intersecting taxiway; (3;000 FT of the departure end of the runway) caused the Embraer crew to reject.