Achieve Solo Surveying with a GNSS Terminal! Reduce Labor and Boost On-site Efficiency

How much more efficient would it be if on-site surveying could be done by just one person?

On construction and civil engineering sites, there has long been a common belief that surveying work should be carried out by two or more people. One person operates the instrument while another holds the staff (leveling rod) and stands at the survey point—such scenes were the norm. However, in recent years, a new approach called "single-person surveying" has been attracting attention. As the name implies, this method, which allows surveying to be completed by a single person, is bringing innovation to the industry as it can significantly contribute to reducing manpower and improving efficiency on site.

"One-Person Surveying" Required in an Era of Labor Shortages

Amid labor shortages and the push for work-style reform, there is a growing need to revisit traditional methods and improve operational efficiency. This is especially true in the construction and civil engineering sectors, where the shortage of skilled workers due to an aging workforce is severe, and securing personnel to carry out surveying is a major challenge. While veteran surveying technicians are reaching retirement age, the number of younger workers is declining, and relying solely on the experienced generation leaves uncertainty about the future. In fact, the average age of surveying professionals is rising year by year, and with public works and private development projects still abundant, measures to keep sites operating with limited personnel are required.

Against this backdrop, the importance of on-site tasks that can be performed by a single person has risen sharply. Surveying is no exception: if one-person surveying becomes possible, sites can be run smoothly even amid labor shortages. This not only reduces labor costs, but because surveying can proceed in parallel with other tasks, it helps improve overall productivity. For example, the time heavy machinery used to be idle while waiting for the surveying team can be dramatically shortened with one-person surveying, reducing construction losses.

Furthermore, one-person surveying also offers the advantage of on-site flexibility. If a system is in place that allows the right person to take measurements immediately when needed, it can respond flexibly to sudden changes in weather or scheduling. If anyone can perform measurements without being tied to a specific person, risk management across the entire site will improve. One-person surveying can become an important piece in building a sustainable operational system for site management in an era of low birthrates and an aging population.

The emergence of new technology that changes conventional surveying practices

Realizing one-person surveying requires approaches and technologies different from conventional methods. In the past, surveying with a total station required at least two people to operate the instrument and the prism. However, advances in technology are changing the conventional wisdom of surveying work. For example, using an automatic-tracking total station makes it possible for a single person to walk while carrying the prism and perform surveying. In addition, methods for acquiring terrain data without human intervention, such as aerial photogrammetry with drones and point cloud surveying using laser scanners, have become widespread. These measures all reduce the personnel required and improve work efficiency, but they are not a cure-all. Automatic-tracking total stations are expensive and require operator proficiency, and drone surveying has constraints such as weather and no-fly zones, so they cannot be used freely at every site.

One approach attracting attention is single-person surveying using RTK surveying that leverages satellite positioning (GNSS) technology. RTK (real-time kinematic) is a technique that combines positioning signals from satellites with correction information from a base station to determine positions with centimeter-level accuracy (half-inch accuracy). Using RTK, a single person can obtain high-precision position coordinates in real time. Unlike traditional methods, it eliminates the need to set up optical surveying instruments and offers greater mobility even when taking measurements while walking around a large site.

The emergence of these new technologies has begun to dismantle the fixed notion that “surveying must be carried out with large-scale equipment and a multi-person team.” And arguably the emblem of that shift is the pocket-sized RTK-GNSS positioning device LRTK.

One-person surveying made possible by LRTK

LRTK is a small, lightweight RTK-GNSS receiver that fits in the palm of your hand, developed by a venture company spun out of the Tokyo Institute of Technology. When used in conjunction with a smartphone or tablet, it becomes a versatile surveying terminal that allows anyone to easily perform centimeter-level accuracy (half-inch accuracy) positioning. Tasks that previously required specialized surveying equipment and advanced expertise can be carried out with intuitive operation using LRTK. Because of its convenience and practicality, it is quietly creating a boom on worksites as "a tool that can measure anytime, anywhere."

A major feature of the LRTK is its portability and ease of use. It weighs only about 165 g and is slim, with a thickness of about 1.3 cm (0.5 in). It is designed to be mounted in a dedicated smartphone case, making it a pocket-sized surveying instrument that can be quickly taken out and used when needed. Because there is no need to carry large tripods or heavy equipment, surveying while moving around the site is not a burden.

Furthermore, by using the dedicated smartphone app "LRTK app", surveying can be carried out without having to worry about complicated settings or calculations. For example, simply place the receiver at the point you want to measure and press a button on the smartphone screen, and positioning data—including latitude, longitude, and height—will be recorded instantly. Point names, date and time, and GNSS reception status are also saved automatically, so there is no need to take handwritten notes. The obtained coordinates are automatically converted to Japan’s plane rectangular coordinate system and to the World Geodetic System (WGS84), and geoid height is calculated, so accurate surveying results can be achieved even without specialist knowledge.

There are, for example, the following advantages to one-person surveying using LRTK.

• High-precision positioning: RTK positioning can determine locations within an error range of a few centimeters (a few in). This level of accuracy, distinctly superior to conventional standalone GPS, is sufficient for creating survey drawings and for construction management.

• Portability and mobility: Pocket-sized and lightweight at approximately 165 g. It is easy to carry while walking around the site and can be carried easily by one person even in tight spaces or on uneven earthwork sites.

• Ease of operation: Intuitive operation via a smartphone app’s simple UI. Point recording is completed with a single tap, so there is no need to learn the complex procedures characteristic of specialized surveying instruments.

• All-in-one functionality: One device supports a wide range of tasks from point surveying to area surveying and marking (positioning). It also includes photogrammetry and AR (augmented reality) simulation functions, enabling on-site calculations of distance, area, and volume (earthwork volume) from measured data.

• Cloud integration: Measurement data can be uploaded to the cloud instantly. There is no need to enter data manually back at the office, and information can be shared in real time with remote office members.

• Low cost, one device per person: Because the price as dedicated equipment is kept very low, unlike traditional surveying instruments where high cost meant only one unit per site, it is now realistic for each worker to carry their own device. Allowing everyone from newcomers to veterans to perform surveying with their own terminal reduces time lost waiting for surveys and helps eliminate task dependency on specific individuals.

Indeed, the developers of the LRTK say, "We developed it aiming to be compact and lightweight so that it can be carried in a pocket at all times and used by each person whenever needed as a personal field tool." True to that statement, the LRTK enables anyone, without special qualifications or experience, to perform advanced surveying as an extension of their daily work, making one-person surveying a reality and serving as an ideal tool. It can be said to have the potential to greatly change how field operations are conducted going forward.

The Power of LRTK at Earthwork Sites

Single-person surveying using LRTK is especially powerful on earthwork sites. In earthwork projects, surveying is frequently required for tasks such as verifying ground elevation, measuring excavation and fill volumes, and checking the as-built shape (post-construction form). Traditionally, one might have needed to call a surveyor to the site or temporarily stop heavy machinery operations to wait for measurements. However, by utilizing LRTK, on-site workers themselves can take measurements on the spot, allowing them to obtain the necessary data without interrupting the workflow.

For example, a heavy equipment operator or site supervisor can take an LRTK device out of their pocket, quickly measure a few ground elevations, and instantly calculate fill and excavation volumes. Even if specialized surveying staff are not permanently on site, a single person can handle the work, leading to more efficient staffing and cost reductions. In addition, measurement data can be shared to the cloud in real time, allowing headquarters and remote offices to check it immediately and enabling faster PDCA cycles for earthwork quantity management and process management.

Additionally, because the LRTK can be carried easily even on uneven terrain, it has the advantage of making surveying easier on dangerous slopes and in areas with poor footing. The traditional effort of carrying a heavy tripod up and down slopes is no longer required, and a single person can safely perform measurements where needed. This contributes to improved on-site safety and also leads to reduced workload.

At earthwork sites where speed and flexibility are required, the benefits of one-person surveying are immeasurable. With LRTK, you can measure the previous day’s progress in the short time before the morning briefing and share it with stakeholders, or verify on-site the differences between the design plans and actual conditions and take immediate corrective action. A system that lets you “measure right away whenever you want” will raise the productivity and quality control of earthwork operations to the next level.

Ease of use that even beginners can master

When it comes to the latest surveying equipment, some may worry, "Is it difficult to operate?" However, LRTK has thoroughly pursued ease of use so that even beginners without surveying expertise can master it immediately. The key to this is an intuitive smartphone app and a simple device design.

As mentioned above, the LRTK is designed to be attached to a smartphone and can be operated on the familiar smartphone screen. There is no need to launch specialized surveying software on a computer; measurements are completed simply by following the on-screen instructions and pressing buttons. Menus and button displays are clear, and the system is designed so users can understand them intuitively without having to memorize difficult technical terms.

Also, setting up the device itself is simple. You just snap the LRTK receiver onto a smartphone case with a single touch, connect it to the app via Bluetooth, and you're ready. There are no complicated initial settings or calibration procedures. The battery is built in, and as long as it's charged it can be used immediately on site. Thanks to this simplicity, new employees can participate in field surveying as productive members from the very day they first pick it up. For example, a newly hired employee can be entrusted with basic surveying tasks right away if they use LRTK. Because it can be operated with the same feel as taking a photo on a smartphone, users can grasp how to use it quickly even after a short explanation. It also reduces the need for veteran technicians to spend long hours providing one-on-one supervision, making it advantageous in terms of training costs.

LRTK is designed with the concept of "making surveying a familiar task that anyone can do." For that reason, even older workers who are not familiar with IT will quickly get used to it, provided they are comfortable using a smartphone. An environment in which everyone on site can take on surveying duties leads to raising the overall level of the team. By overturning the conventional notion that "surveying can only be done by specialist personnel," the site workflow gains significant flexibility, and the risk of work stagnation is also reduced.

Future Prospects of Single-Person Surveying for Job Sites

The widespread adoption of single-person surveying has the potential to significantly change how construction and civil engineering sites operate. First, the dramatically increased flexibility in personnel allocation is expected to help alleviate labor shortages. It will become easier for a limited number of staff to carry out multiple tasks in parallel, which can lead to shorter project timelines and reduced costs.

Furthermore, in the trend of digital technology-driven smart construction and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism-promoted i-Construction, one-person surveying becomes an important piece. Accurate data acquired on site can be accumulated in the cloud in real time and linked with AI and other software to support construction management and quality control. By having site workers collect data themselves, information sharing between the site and the office—which previously suffered from time lags—becomes seamless, enabling rapid decision-making.

In fact, one municipality has introduced LRTK for surveying disaster sites, and initiatives have begun to enable rapid assessment of damage even with a small number of personnel. In this way, technologies that can immediately acquire and share accurate data with limited manpower are useful not only for routine construction management but also for emergency response.

If one-person surveying becomes established as the new norm, "waiting for surveys" will become a thing of the past, and a sense of reassurance that "anyone can measure whenever necessary" will take root on-site. This is meaningful not only for improving quality control but also from the perspective of work-style reform. Because there will be fewer situations where personnel are tied up for long periods or forced into heavy labor solely for surveying, it will reduce the burden of on-site work, improve safety, and ultimately lead to better workplace conditions.

Easy Surveying with LRTK

As a concrete method for achieving one-person surveying, LRTK is a highly attractive option. Even without complicated preparation or special skills, as long as you have a smartphone and an LRTK device, you can start simple surveying on site that same day. When you actually use it, you will be surprised at how surveying tasks that used to be entrusted to specialists can be carried out freely by your own hands.

LRTK is a tool that paves the way for an era in which anyone on site can perform like a surveyor. As the "new standard for solo surveying" that supports labor reduction and improved on-site efficiency, it may soon become commonplace to see people conducting surveys with LRTK in hand at worksites. If your workplace also faces challenges in streamlining surveying tasks or addressing manpower shortages, please check the details on the [LRTK official website](https://www.lrtk.lefixea.com/) and consider introducing LRTK. By proactively adopting new technology, the future of worksites will surely begin to move in a brighter direction. For a new era of site operations where people and technology are in harmony, consider embracing the option of solo surveying.

Dramatically Improve On-site Surveying Accuracy and Work Efficiency with LRTK

The LRTK series delivers high-precision GNSS positioning for construction, civil engineering, and surveying, enabling reduced work time and significant productivity gains. It also supports i-Construction, promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, making it an ideal solution for accelerating digitalization in the construction industry.

For details about LRTK, please see the link below.

• [What is LRTK | LRTK Official Website](https://www.lrtk.lefixea.com/)

• [LRTK Series | Device List Page](https://www.lrtk.lefixea.com/)

For inquiries about our products, requests for a quotation, or consultations regarding implementation, please feel free to contact us via the [contact form](https://www.lrtk.lefixea.com/contactlrtk). With LRTK, let’s evolve your company’s worksites to the next stage.