Construction Management AR Use Cases: 5 Success Stories of On-site Innovation Achieved by Introducing LRTK

Table of Contents

• Introduction

• Success Story 1: Streamlining Stake Driving Layout with AR Stake Marking

• Success Story 2: Smartphone AR Surveying Cuts As-Built Measurement from Half a Day to 30 Minutes

• Success Story 3: Improving Consensus Building and Construction Quality by Visualizing BIM Models in AR

• Success Story 4: Reducing Wrong-Dig Risks by Displaying Buried Pipes in AR

• Success Story 5: Enabling Rapid Boundary Verification by Displaying Boundary Lines in AR

• Conclusion

• FAQ

Introduction

In recent years, the construction industry has been undergoing major changes in construction management methods due to the push for ICT and DX. However, on many sites, surveying and as-built verification still require significant time and effort, and labor shortages and the aging of skilled technicians remain serious problems. In addition, the application of overtime work regulations in 2024 (the so-called “2024 problem”) is approaching, increasing the need to carry out construction efficiently with limited personnel.

One promising solution to these challenges is the introduction of AR (augmented reality) technology using smartphones into construction management. In particular, combining RTK positioning (real-time kinematic) using a high-precision external GNSS device for smartphones with AR can digitally transform tasks that previously relied on manual labor and experience. By combining RTK’s centimeter-level positioning accuracy (half-inch accuracy) with AR-based on-site information visualization, a palm-sized smartphone can become an “all-purpose surveying instrument,” enabling anyone—not just experts—to easily perform on-site surveying, stake layout, and design data checks.

This article introduces five real-world success stories in which LRTK (smartphone RTK × AR solution) was implemented on site to revolutionize construction management. From streamlining stake driving to speeding up as-built control, sharing completion images, visualizing buried utilities, and accelerating boundary checks, we examine concrete cases where productivity and accuracy improved at each site. Finally, we touch on the new norm of “simple surveying” opened up by AR × RTK and hope these examples provide ideas for applying the technology on your sites.

Success Story 1: Streamlining Stake Driving Layout with AR Stake Marking

On a tunnel road construction site with the challenging condition of a steep slope on bedrock, AR stake marking was used to tackle stake layout work that had been difficult with traditional methods. Coordinate data of stake positions specified in the design drawings were registered in the LRTK cloud, and when workers viewed the surroundings through the smartphone (iPhone) camera on site, virtual stake markers were displayed in AR at the installation positions on the screen. Workers were able to accurately identify points even on hard ground where physical stakes could not be driven, using these virtual markers as references.

As a result, stake layout that traditionally required survey teams to go back and forth could be carried out continuously by a single person. By simply moving to the next position displayed on the phone screen and marking it, a wide area of stake layout could be completed in a short time. Not only were personnel reduced, but safety also improved because no assistant was required in areas with poor footing. In addition, when a site supervisor wanted to indicate “I want to place a stake here,” the coordinate could be measured on the spot and immediately reflected in AR, making communication smoother. This is an excellent example of achieving both significant labor savings and improved accuracy in surveying processes through one-person surveying × AR.

Effects:

• Stakes layout work that previously required multiple people can be performed by one person

• Wide-area stake points can be marked in a short time, achieving personnel reductions and shorter schedules

• Safe work without assistants even in areas with poor footing, improving safety

• On-site coordinate measurement → immediate AR display enables rapid sharing of supervisor instructions

Success Story 2: Smartphone AR Surveying Cuts As-Built Measurement from Half a Day to 30 Minutes

A construction company in Gifu Prefecture trialed a new point-cloud measurement method using smartphones and tablets for as-built measurement in small-scale earthworks. Surveying work that previously took more than half a day with drone photogrammetry was completed in approximately 30 minutes in total by scanning the site with a LiDAR-equipped tablet (iPad). Specifically, for an excavated area of approximately 150 m², the conventional method required multiple steps—“planning drone flight → aerial photography → generating point clouds from photos → drafting”—taking more than five hours, whereas by scanning the terrain on foot with an iPad equipped with LRTK, detailed point-cloud data were acquired in about 15 minutes. The point-cloud data were then immediately uploaded to the cloud and automatically converted to drawings and shared.

This smartphone AR surveying dramatically shortened processes that used to require manual observation of survey points one by one. Because as-built measurement and earthwork volume calculations that used to take several days can be completed on the spot, construction management speed has dramatically increased. The acquired point-cloud data already include high-accuracy position coordinates, so there is no need for alignment work after returning to the office. By overlaying point clouds, the volume of fills and excavations can be calculated instantly, enabling real-time management of fill/excavation quantities and as-built inspections. Site staff were so surprised that some commented, “it’s like having twice the manpower,” reflecting a dramatic increase in information obtained and speed from one person’s work.

Effects:

• As-built measurement that took more than five hours with drone + photogrammetry was completed in about 30 minutes

• Acquired data are immediately shared in the cloud with absolute coordinates, eliminating post-site data processing

• Earthwork volume calculations and as-built checks can be performed on site in real time, accelerating construction decision-making

• Dramatic productivity improvements enabled one person to work efficiently, with feedback such as “it’s like having twice the manpower”

Success Story 3: Improving Consensus Building and Construction Quality by Visualizing BIM Models in AR

On a road construction site, a tablet (iPad) with an LRTK device attached was used to display 3D BIM/CIM models from the design stage in AR for meetings. By overlaying the planned fill shapes and structural models onto the actual terrain, owners, construction staff, heavy equipment operators, and even nearby residents could intuitively understand the completed image. It eliminated the need to explain using paper drawings while pointing with a finger; standing on site and looking at the screen was enough to share the plan, speeding up consensus building.

This AR application resolved recognition gaps among all stakeholders and greatly smoothed communication in construction. What had previously been explained with drawings and perspective illustrations became something that could be “understood by seeing” in AR, reducing the time required for explanations. At one site, this method reportedly reduced design-intent communication errors to almost zero, cutting rework in later phases. Also, during as-built inspections, overlaying design data and constructed elements on the tablet allowed minor defects to be discovered and corrected on the spot. AR-based site visualization supported consensus building and quality control, contributing to improved productivity and construction quality.

Effects:

• Overlaying 3D models on site enables intuitive sharing of the completed image and improves stakeholder understanding

• AR-enabled meetings smooth communication and reduce rework caused by misunderstandings

• Eliminates design-intent sharing errors and speeds up consensus building within the project

• During final inspections, AR overlay of design data allows immediate detection and correction of defects, ensuring construction quality

Success Story 4: Reducing Wrong-Dig Risks by Displaying Buried Pipes in AR

In infrastructure works and sites with many buried objects, understanding unseen underground pipes and cables is a major safety management challenge. On one site, 3D data of buried and backfilled underground pipes were projected in AR on site to visualize the underground situation. Because the smartphone’s position and orientation are constantly corrected by LRTK high-precision positioning, virtual pipe models can be overlaid on the real world without special markers. As if peering through the ground, workers could confirm the routing of buried pipes on the screen through the camera and visually grasp alerts like “a pipe exists 〇 m (〇 ft) ahead.”

This AR “X-ray” substantially reduced the risk of accidentally damaging buried pipes. With precise knowledge of buried objects’ locations in advance, there is no need for indiscriminate test digs or unnecessarily cautious operations, allowing excavation to proceed efficiently and safely. At sites using this method, workers reported that “the stress of digging while worrying about discrepancies between drawings and reality has decreased” and “it’s easier to make newcomers aware of buried utilities,” improving both workers’ peace of mind and work speed. Furthermore, equipment that is buried and becomes invisible can be accurately reproduced later in AR, making it a valuable information asset for future maintenance and additional work.

Effects:

• Intuitive pre-understanding of buried pipes and cables prevents accidental damage

• Fewer exploratory digs into unclear areas enable safer, more efficient excavation and construction

• Easier sharing of buried-object information among all workers raises safety awareness and reduces near-miss incidents

• Visualizing underground infrastructure location data facilitates future inspection and repair planning

Success Story 5: Enabling Rapid Boundary Verification by Displaying Boundary Lines in AR

In civil engineering and land development, accurately confirming site boundaries is important. On a development site, AR was used for boundary confirmation. Known boundary marker coordinate data were registered in the LRTK cloud in advance, and when viewing the surroundings through a smartphone on site, land boundary lines were displayed in AR on the ground. This allowed intuitive on-the-spot verification of whether temporary stakes or existing boundary markers matched the design boundary line.

This method greatly streamlined boundary verification work that previously required calling in survey teams to carefully check with transits and tape measures. Because staff can understand boundary relationships simply by viewing the virtual boundary line on the phone screen without relying on a veteran’s visual inspection, inexperienced staff can accurately perform verification tasks. Time spent reconciling design drawings and site conditions was reduced, preventing rework and disputes with neighbors concerning boundaries. By making boundary lines “visible” with AR, reliable boundary verification can be performed with the minimum necessary personnel and time.

Effects:

• Tasks that previously required multiple people and long hours for boundary meetings and layout can be smoothly performed by one person

• Immediate detection of misplacement of temporary stakes or boundary markers reduces rework such as re-measurement

• Even inexperienced engineers can accurately grasp boundaries using AR lines, improving verification accuracy

• Prevents neighbor disputes caused by construction outside the project area or boundary recognition errors, enabling confident progress

Conclusion

Above, we introduced five cases where AR was used in construction management and LRTK implementation brought innovation to sites. From stake layout and as-built verification to consensus building, buried-object management, and boundary confirmation, AR × RTK technology demonstrates benefits across many situations on site. A common theme is that a new site paradigm of “anyone can measure and check immediately on the spot” is being realized. If high-precision surveying and information sharing can be performed with just a smartphone—without heavy equipment or specialized skills—site productivity will dramatically increase.

The new norm of “simple surveying” pioneered by LRTK is beginning to transform construction management. Tasks that once relied on veteran intuition and manpower can be streamlined and advanced through digital technology. Even amid labor shortages and tighter workstyle reform constraints, AR × RTK enables efficient and safe site operation with limited personnel. Indeed, the LRTK series is a convenient solution supporting smart construction and aligns with initiatives such as i-Construction and on-site DX promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. AR technology will surely become an indispensable key in future construction management. Why not take this opportunity to consider the effects of introducing AR on your sites?

FAQ

Q1. Do I need special equipment or advanced knowledge to introduce AR technology on site? A. No. You can start without expensive special equipment or expert knowledge. For example, with solutions like LRTK, anyone can intuitively use AR functionality simply by attaching a small GNSS receiver to a smartphone and launching a dedicated app. Operation is simple and the training burden for site staff is low; in most cases, a few hours of training are enough to learn. Compared to conventional surveying equipment, it is also easier to carry, making it convenient to use in various on-site situations.

Q2. Can smartphone AR displays really achieve accurate positioning alignment? A. Using an RTK-GNSS correction system like LRTK to correct the smartphone’s position makes it possible to overlay virtual objects onto real space with an error of a few centimeters. Normally, a smartphone’s standalone GPS has an error of about 5–10 m, but RTK dramatically improves positioning accuracy, reducing discrepancies between design positions on drawings and the actual site to a nearly imperceptible level. On actual construction sites, the positions of AR-displayed models and real objects have been confirmed to nearly match, providing sufficient accuracy for practical use.

Q3. Is AR-based position confirmation possible in locations with unstable satellite positioning or indoors? A. In environments where GPS satellite signals are difficult to receive, high-precision RTK positioning becomes challenging. In areas such as streets with tall buildings or under trees, accuracy may temporarily decline or positioning may be lost. In such environments, you can perform a reference alignment in an open area and then continue short-term work by supplementing with the smartphone’s built-in inertial sensors or camera visual markers, but current AR positioning is difficult in fully GNSS-blocked indoor or underground environments. In those cases, you must rely on conventional measurement using total stations or wait for future technological advances. However, LRTK can also work with Japan’s quasi-zenith satellite Michibiki (CLAS signals), so it can perform positioning in a relatively wide range of environments as long as satellites are visible, such as in mountainous areas where communication may be limited.

Q4. Are there benefits to introducing AR for small sites or short-term projects? A. Yes. In fact, small projects with limited personnel can benefit greatly from AR solutions that allow one person to handle surveying and as-built management. Tasks that previously required outsourcing to survey contractors can be handled quickly by in-house staff, reducing outsourcing costs and waiting times. Even for short-duration work, using AR for daily progress checks and as-built inspections enables rapid situation awareness and recording, facilitating handoffs to subsequent phases. AR technology contributes to efficiency and quality improvement regardless of project scale, from small sites to large projects.

Q5. Is it also possible to use AR glasses (smart glasses) instead of smartphones? A. There are cases using optical see-through AR glasses or helmet-mounted displays. However, dedicated glasses are often expensive, have narrow fields of view, or require skillful operation, making widespread on-site use challenging. In contrast, using smartphones or tablets leverages devices many people are already familiar with and keeps introduction costs relatively low. LRTK is designed as a smartphone-based solution, balancing GNSS-backed accuracy with the convenience of smartphone AR. It is realistic to start with familiar smartphone AR and consider other devices as needed.