8 Key Points to Avoid Failure When Implementing AR for Buried Pipes｜Operational Rules and Data Update Tips

The introduction of AR (augmented reality) technology has recently attracted attention for underground infrastructure such as buried water and sewer pipes, gas pipes, and power and communication cables. If the routes of underground piping can be visualized through the screens of smartphones or tablets, the risk of accidentally damaging lifelines during excavation work can be greatly reduced. In addition, because information from drawings can be intuitively confirmed on site, this also helps improve work efficiency and supports knowledge transfer without relying on veteran workers. In fact, accidents in which gas pipes are accidentally damaged during roadworks or communication cables are severed have been reported in many places, but if the locations of buried utilities are visualized in advance using AR, such accidents could potentially be prevented. Furthermore, with the i-Construction initiatives promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the trend toward DX (digital transformation) at construction sites, experimental AR use is spreading among the construction and civil engineering industries as well as construction consultants, surveying firms, local governments, and infrastructure management companies. Such AR visualization technology is expected to be put to use across the field of underground infrastructure, including water and sewer systems, gas, power, and communications.

However, simply introducing equipment or software is not enough to establish AR, a new technology, on-site. If it cannot be used effectively in the field, or if poor initial setup leads to it being judged as an "unusable tool," the investment will be wasted. If AR deployment only increases the burden on the field, it would be counterproductive. It could even cause confusion on site. Only when it is operated in a way that matches on-site needs will it be effective. What points should you pay attention to in order to successfully visualize buried pipes with AR and avoid failure after deployment? In this article, we explain eight practical points to keep in mind when introducing AR for underground buried assets. We will look step by step at concrete measures to prevent stumbling after deployment, such as how to formulate operating rules and tips for updating data.

1. Clarify the Purpose and Scope of Implementation

First, it is important to share among stakeholders “why introduce AR for buried pipelines” and to clearly define the objectives and scope of application. Set specific goals for what you want to achieve by visualizing underground buried assets with AR. For example, state objectives that address on-site issues such as “reduce pipeline damage accidents during excavation to zero,” “greatly reduce the workload involved in checking drawings,” or “improve the accuracy of buried-pipe surveys.” When objectives are clear, it becomes easier to gain internal understanding and budget approval for implementation, and easier to establish metrics (KPI) to verify the effects after deployment.

Also, organize in advance the scope to which AR will be applied. Identify the target infrastructure (water and sewage, gas, communications, power, etc.) and business processes (pre-excavation surveys, maintenance of buried assets, monitoring during construction, etc.), and plan in which situations AR will be utilized. For example, envision concrete use cases such as "using AR for pre-marking of road excavation work" and "displaying buried locations on site for water main replacement work." By clarifying the scope of application, you can grasp the data and equipment preparation items required for implementation and ensure smooth coordination with the relevant departments.

2. Set Up a High-Precision Positioning Environment and Equipment

To accurately overlay subsurface piping models in AR, you need to build a high-precision positioning environment and select appropriate equipment. Since the GPS built into ordinary smartphones can have errors of several meters (several ft), it is difficult to accurately display the positions of underground buried pipes as-is. If the positional shift remains large, it will not be trusted on site and could lead to the assessment that "AR is unreliable." Therefore, introduce high-precision positioning technologies on site that can align positions at the centimeter level (half-inch accuracy). Specifically, you can use GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) that support RTK methods, or perform calibration by checking against known points (position alignment using on-site reference points). If you integrate high-precision GNSS into smartphones or tablets, you can match the model to real-world coordinates without placing markers on the ground, enabling consistently low-drift and stable AR displays.

For on-site AR equipment and tools, choose devices that are easy to operate and highly reliable. Initially, it is practical to start with AR apps that run on handheld smartphones or tablets that workers are already familiar with. If the mobile AR app is intuitive to use, it can be adopted on-site without extra training. It is also important to select equipment suited to the field environment, such as waterproof and dustproof tablets and displays that remain readable in sunlight. If you use RTK positioning, prepare an environment that can receive correction data via the Internet (for example, by using mobile routers or installing base stations) to achieve stable accuracy outdoors. While introducing advanced devices such as AR glasses may be an option in the future, prioritize ease of use and stability in the initial stages. By combining high-precision positioning technology suited to the site with user-friendly equipment, you will establish a solid foundation for AR use and minimize operational problems after deployment.

3. Digitize buried pipe information in 3D

Information on underground buried pipes to be displayed in AR must be prepared as accurate digital data. Even if only old paper piping drawings or 2D CAD drawings are available, take this opportunity to digitize the data and, if possible, develop 3D models. If 3D data that includes the buried pipes' depths and diameters is available, it can be visualized three-dimensionally in AR, further deepening intuitive understanding on site. In recent years, the use of BIM/CIM and 3D city models has advanced, accelerating the move toward managing infrastructure in 3D, including underground infrastructure. Aggregating the buried-asset data held by each infrastructure operator and centrally managing it in a unified format will make importing data into AR systems smoother. Also check in advance which data formats AR apps can read, and, if necessary, convert them to common 3D formats (such as IFC or glTF) for peace of mind.

When digitizing data, it is important to align the site's positioning coordinate system with the coordinate system used in the data. If the coordinate system of drawings or ledgers remains unclear, display positions in AR will be offset. It is ideal to have data managed in absolute coordinate systems such as the national public coordinate system (plane rectangular coordinate system) or the World Geodetic System (WGS84), but for old drawings recorded in local arbitrary coordinates, perform a tie-in to known points on site and apply a coordinate transformation. Specifically, obtain multiple site latitude and longitude points corresponding to reference points on the drawing, calculate offsets and rotation angles, and correct the entire dataset. Completing such coordinate alignment beforehand and matching buried pipe data to the survey coordinates of the real world ensures that when displayed in AR the pipe model appears at an accurate, non-offset position.

4. Establish a data update flow

One common failure after introducing AR is that data becomes outdated over time. The layout and shape of buried pipes change constantly as construction is carried out. For older buried pipes whose exact positions are unknown, a mechanism is also needed to measure positions on-site during excavation or surveys and reflect them in the data. If data are not updated when new installations, removals, or relocations occur, AR may display old information and potentially cause confusion on site. If data remain outdated, risks arise such as nonexistent pipes being shown in AR and misleading workers, or newly installed cables not being displayed and being damaged during excavation. To prevent this, establish a data update workflow in advance. For example, set a rule that when construction personnel or surveyors confirm or modify the positions of buried pipes on-site, that information must be promptly reflected in the digital database. It is also effective to require electronic submission of as-built drawings and as-built data at project completion and to operate so that these are incorporated into the ledger system.

As a data update framework, clearly define who is responsible for updating information and what scope they cover. For an infrastructure management company, the asset management department centrally manages updates; for a municipality, the ledger officers in each division update their organization’s buried asset data. You should also decide where to store and share field-acquired items such as photos and point cloud data. Managing data in the cloud allows access to the latest information from both the field and the office, helping prevent missed updates. It is also useful to have a mechanism to regularly inspect the data update status and check for any construction records that have not been reflected. By maintaining an update flow that ensures the latest data is always reflected in AR, you can prevent failures such as “the AR content is not trustworthy because of outdated data.”

5. Establish operational rules

Simply introducing an AR system does not guarantee it will be used on site. If you leave its use to on-site judgment without rules, the AR you installed may end up unused. To integrate AR into the site's standard operating flow, it is important to establish clear operational rules. Decide when, who will, and how AR will be used, and specify these in work procedure manuals and construction plans and communicate them. For example, standardize procedures for each specific use case, such as "Always confirm the position of buried pipes with AR before conducting buried-object surveys" and "Use AR during the marking process before road excavation to display the location of underground obstacles." This ensures everyone on site uses AR at the designated times and prevents inconsistencies caused by individual practices.

Also, establishing rules that take safety into account is indispensable. To prevent situations where users become so focused on the AR display that they fail to notice hazards around them, set basic safety guidelines for use. For example, proactively communicate precautions such as "Do not operate devices in areas where heavy machinery is in operation" and "Do not keep looking at AR screens while walking on unstable scaffolding or footing." The same applies when using AR glasses: warn users about the limited field of view and establish rules for calling out to ensure safety. At the same time, actively leverage ways in which AR itself can contribute to safety management. If hazardous areas and the locations of buried objects are pre-marked on the AR display, all workers can share that information on site, which helps raise safety awareness. By mastering AR under operating rules that assume safety first, on-site reliability will increase and adoption will progress.

6. Ensure thorough training and awareness for on-site staff

To embed new digital technologies on site, careful training and awareness activities for field staff are essential. Even if people try them out initially out of curiosity, there is a risk they will soon be avoided on site if users do not understand how to operate them or cannot perceive their benefits. To prevent this, substantial early-stage support is important. Begin by thoroughly explaining how to operate AR and its effectiveness, and support site members so they can use it without resistance. During rollout, provide training sessions and let participants experience using AR apps on smartphones and tablets with actual devices. No complicated操作 is needed; if following on-screen prompts lets them see the location of piping, that will build confidence that “I could use this.” For veteran workers who are unfamiliar with digital devices in particular, it is important for younger ICT staff to provide one-on-one follow-up and create an atmosphere where they can try it out on site with confidence.

Also, it is important to share the concrete benefits of AR implementation with on-site staff. “Thanks to the pipe locations shown by AR, we were able to prevent a near-miss during excavation,” “We no longer have to carry paper drawings, so the work has become easier,” and other actual use cases and effects should be publicized so that success experiences accumulate across the entire site. Even at small sites, if examples of operational improvements using AR emerge, introduce them at morning meetings or in the company newsletter to help boost motivation. Until on-site staff can use AR proactively, it is also a good idea to provide regular follow-up training and establish a consultation desk for problems. Thoroughly educate while incorporating feedback from the field and expand the scope of AR utilization—this is the key to preventing implementation from ending in failure.

7. Implement in stages and evaluate effectiveness

It is wise to introduce AR for buried pipelines in stages rather than immediately rolling it out to all sites and all operations. Start with a small pilot project and actually use AR to verify its effectiveness and identify challenges. For example, trial AR at one specific construction site and collect data comparing it to traditional methods to measure reductions in work time and decreases in errors. Also gather feedback from field staff about their reactions and any operational issues, and implement countermeasures based on that feedback where improvements are needed. Beginning small reduces risk and makes course corrections easier if the pilot fails. There is also the advantage that demonstrating the pilot’s results quantitatively makes it easier to secure further investment and ongoing support from management.

It should be noted that other fields have reported cases in which introducing a new technology all at once across every site led to failure because it did not take hold on the ground. To avoid that, when introducing AR it is important to take a cautious, phased approach to build internal understanding and proficiency.

The insights gained from the pilot deployment should be shared internally and connected to the next phase. Successful cases should be rolled out within the company through reports and videos to encourage application at other sites. Conversely, if issues are identified, implement countermeasures before expanding the scope of application to avoid repeating the same failures. Gradual expansion allows in-house know-how and understanding to accumulate and resistance to diminish. Ultimately, the goal is for AR to be used as a matter of course at all relevant sites, but until then, increase deployment sites within a manageable range. By verifying effectiveness and resolving issues at each phase, you can minimize the risk of implementation failure.

8. Maintain, manage, and continuously improve the system

After implementing AR, you can sustain and improve its effectiveness by appropriately maintaining the system and pursuing continuous improvements. First, establish a regular maintenance plan for both hardware and software. Regularly inspect the smart devices and GNSS receivers in use, and replace them promptly if any failures or deterioration are found. Also check for app and software update information and ensure you do not neglect updating to the latest versions. In particular, OS and app updates lead to bug fixes and functionality improvements, so it is advisable to apply them on a planned schedule before problems occur on site. When necessary, contact support channels and obtain technical information from manufacturers to keep the system in optimal condition.

Also, continuously collect feedback from the field and use it to improve operational rules and system settings. Once operations actually begin, usability issues and new needs that were not anticipated at the outset may become apparent. For example, gather field input and consider improvement measures for “methods of operation in indoor areas where GNSS cannot be used,” “screen display adjustments for night work,” and “additional piping information items desired.” Regularly review the operations manual and reflect updated procedures and precautions in the latest version. Retraining field staff and holding study sessions on new features are also effective. By continuously running such a PDCA cycle, the AR system will become established within the organization and should increase its effectiveness over time. Also, keep an eye on technological advances. If new technology trends emerge—such as the launch of high-precision satellite positioning services or the release of improved versions of AR software—actively gather information and consider adoption as needed. By keeping pace with technological evolution, you can continue to provide the most suitable solutions to the field.

Finally, choosing the right tools is also important to maximize the benefits of introducing AR for buried pipes. For example, by using an iPhone-mounted device called "LRTK" that integrates high-precision GNSS positioning with AR display, you can simplify the complicated alignment work and enable AR operations with centimeter-level accuracy (cm level accuracy (half-inch accuracy)) using only a smartphone. By adopting such a solution that easily provides a high-precision positioning environment, field staff can intuitively grasp the location of buried pipes and further lower the barriers to AR adoption. To successfully implement this new initiative of visualizing buried pipes, it is essential to establish the technology and operational systems that suit your company’s sites while keeping in mind the eight key points introduced here. By steadily putting these points into practice, the AR you have invested in will not go to waste and can be developed into an indispensable tool for the field. With proper preparation and consistent operation, let’s maximize the safety and efficiency benefits that AR can bring to underground infrastructure management.