Learning from the Latest Construction DX Cases: Secrets to Operational Efficiency and Cost Reduction

Introduction

The wave of DX (digital transformation) has reached the construction industry, and on-site work styles and business processes are beginning to change significantly. Construction DX refers to initiatives that use digital technologies such as ICT (information and communication technology), IoT, and AI to streamline and sophisticate traditionally analog tasks, achieving productivity improvements and cost reductions. With labor shortages due to a declining birthrate and aging population and the need to respond to the workstyle reform-related laws applied to the construction industry from 2024 (the so-called “2024 issue”), reducing manpower and shortening time on construction sites has become an urgent challenge. Since 2016, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has been promoting efficiency in construction using ICT as *i-Construction*, and from fiscal 2023 the mandatory use of BIM/CIM (3D model utilization) for public works has begun in principle, accelerating DX promotion across the industry.

This article introduces the latest examples of construction DX by field and practically explains how each initiative has led to operational efficiency and cost reduction. Covering diverse themes such as surveying, as-built management, drawing management, schedule management, cloud sharing, and safety management, we explore points that can be referenced regardless of company size. Finally, we introduce LRTK as a new solution that makes construction DX easy to adopt, touching on how it achieves DX through simple surveying, point cloud acquisition, AR display, and cloud sharing.

Latest Surveying DX Cases: Dramatically Shortening Survey Time with Drones

DX effects are also remarkable in surveying, the first step in construction projects. Traditionally, surveying a large site required a team of surveyors to spend many days measuring numerous points and creating drawings. In mountainous areas and steep slopes where people cannot easily enter, the workload is heavy and sometimes dangerous. A notable innovation in surveying through DX is aerial surveying using drones and 3D scanners. Drones that fly autonomously overhead can acquire detailed data of the entire site in a short time, and there are reports of cases where surveying time was shortened to about 1/4 to 1/10 of the conventional time. For example, in an experiment by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, an unmanned aerial vehicle conducted patrol surveys over a river section of about 25 km, completing work that previously took 4 hours in 25 minutes (about 1/10). In this way, automation of surveying enables rapid and safe acquisition of wide-area terrain data.

From photos and LiDAR point cloud data acquired by drones, high-precision 3D terrain models can be created. This allows the construction of a digital twin of the site that includes details that were often overlooked, and makes it possible to measure arbitrary dimensions or extract cross-sections from the data later. Once a site is scanned, the need for additional re-surveys can be reduced, contributing to reduced rework. Also, surveying dangerous areas inaccessible to people can be completed remotely, improving safety and reducing labor burden. The key point of surveying DX is “to measure wide areas with high accuracy in a short time and fully utilize the data.” This yields many benefits such as reduced surveying personnel and outsourcing costs and faster decisions to start construction.

Effects of surveying DX:

• Dramatic reduction in surveying time (50–90% reduction compared to traditional methods)

• Improved safety by acquiring data from inaccessible locations

• Improved design accuracy and prevention of rework through point cloud data utilization

• Reduced outsourcing and labor costs for surveying

Latest As-Built Management DX Cases: Streamlining As-Built Verification with Photogrammetry

As-built management involves verifying whether completed structures or earthworks match the design in shape and dimensions. DX is beginning to be applied to this verification as well. Traditionally, staff measured dimensions at various locations using tape measures and surveying instruments, compared them with cross-sections, and calculated quantities. However, with the spread of photogrammetry technology, accurate 3D models can be generated from drone aerial images or smartphone LiDAR scans, enabling entire as-built conditions to be measured digitally.

At a civil engineering site, a system was introduced that automatically captures the entire site from above by drone every day after construction, calculating embankment volumes from that data. As a result, the time required for as-built measurement was reduced to about 1/4 of the previous time, enabling daily quantitative tracking of progress. Previously, calculating as-built quantities took several days, so by the time the site manager compiled and submitted reports the situation might have changed. With DX, real-time as-built management became possible, allowing rapid progress reporting and schedule adjustments. Sharing the obtained 3D data with the project owner also smooths as-built inspections and payment applications. From these cases, the secret to as-built management DX can be said to be “digitizing the site into 3D data to immediately grasp accurate quantities.” Data-driven decisions enable appropriate material procurement, reducing material waste and contributing to construction quality assurance.

Effects of as-built management DX:

• Significant time savings in as-built measurement (e.g., from 2 days to about half a day)

• Reduced human error and improved accuracy by quantity calculation based on 3D data

• Rapid schedule corrections and waste reduction through daily progress tracking

• Streamlined as-built inspections and document preparation and smoother sharing with owners

Latest Drawing Management DX Cases: Reducing Rework with BIM and the Cloud

Managing design drawings and construction drawings is another area where DX can dramatically improve efficiency. Traditional methods—printing multiple paper drawings for distribution and exchanging CAD files by email for drawing revisions—often caused errors and rework due to version mismatches. Many companies therefore adopt cloud-based drawing management systems and BIM.

One construction company that introduced cloud drawing management centralized all design and construction drawings on the cloud, giving stakeholders constant access to the latest versions via tablets or PCs. Site supervisors and tradespeople could check the latest drawings on their devices rather than paper, eliminating construction errors caused by overlooked design changes. Comment sharing and version control on drawings were automated, significantly shortening the lead time for drawing review and approval. In large projects, there are increasing cases of using BIM to coordinate among specialized contractors on 3D models from the design stage and thoroughly perform clash checks. In one high-rise building project, BIM eliminated construction stoppages due to design errors, resulting in reported cost savings on the order of tens of millions of yen.

Thus, the point of drawing management DX is “eliminating discrepancies between design and construction through centralization and visualization.” Constant sharing of the latest information avoids unnecessary rework, leading to shorter schedules and cost reductions. The secondary effect of paperless operations—reduced printing and distribution costs for drawings—should not be overlooked.

Effects of drawing management DX:

• Immediate sharing of the latest information via cloud drawing sharing, preventing mistakes and rework

• Detection of issues during the design stage via BIM, reducing correction costs

• Shortened time for drawing review through electronic approval workflows

• Reduced printing and storage costs through paperless operations

Latest Schedule Management DX Cases: AI-Based Construction Schedule Optimization

On construction sites with multiple concurrent jobs, the skill of schedule (timeline) management directly affects efficiency and cost. DX has made schedule management more advanced and flexible. Traditionally, schedule charts created in Excel or on whiteboards were adjusted and updated daily by site supervisors. However, human management has limits, and it was difficult to timely reflect deviations caused by external factors such as bad weather or material delivery delays. AI-based schedule management systems are increasingly used to address this.

AI-equipped schedule management software automatically optimizes the project schedule based on data such as required times and dependencies for each task, weather forecasts, and resource status (personnel and heavy equipment). In one company, AI adjusted future task sequences considering weather forecasts, prioritizing tasks unaffected by rain, which greatly reduced the risk of weather-induced schedule delays. AI also analyzes real-time progress data collected from IoT sensors and site management apps to immediately detect gaps between plan and actual and alert stakeholders. This enables countermeasures while problems are still small, reducing overtime across the site and the coordination burden with subcontractors.

The success factor for schedule management DX is “automating updates to plans in immediate response to changes at the site.” By having AI perform optimizations 24/7 that humans might miss, waste and idle time are minimized and productivity is maximized. The result is shorter schedules, suppression of excess labor costs, and overall project cost reduction.

Effects of schedule management DX:

• Automated schedule adjustments to prevent delays before they occur

• Reduced downtime through flexible schedule revisions that consider weather and logistics

• Early detection and response to issues via real-time progress data sharing

• Reduced labor costs by cutting unnecessary overtime and waiting time

Latest Cloud Sharing DX Cases: Linking Site and Office with Real-Time Information

An essential foundation supporting construction DX is cloud-based information sharing. Traditionally, there was a time lag in communication between sites and headquarters/branches, relying heavily on daily or weekly reports and verbal meeting updates, which delayed problem detection and decision-making. Companies driving DX aggregate all project information on cloud platforms so all stakeholders can instantly access necessary data.

For example, a mid-sized general contractor centralized site photos, progress status, inspection records, and material order status in a cloud project management tool. Site staff uploaded daily reports and photos via smartphones or tablets, allowing remote site managers and headquarters personnel to view them in real time. As a result, when unexpected issues occurred on site, headquarters could quickly instruct support measures, dramatically improving response speed. Daily online information sharing also streamlines meetings and reduces business travel since information that previously waited for scheduled meetings is now shared daily online. Cloud sharing enables collaboration beyond geographic constraints, and by establishing a system to “deliver the right information to the right people immediately,” decision-making speeds up and errors decrease.

Centralizing information also transforms site management—often dependent on individuals—into an organizational practice, enabling smooth handover even when personnel change. These cloud sharing DX initiatives reduce wasted waiting time and communication loss, allowing sites to be operated from an overall optimization perspective.

Effects of cloud sharing DX:

• Faster decision-making through real-time data sharing between site and headquarters

• Reduced communication costs such as fewer regular meetings and business trips

• Smooth handovers through accumulated knowledge and documentation

• Strengthened inter- and intra-company information linkage, reducing errors and rework

Latest Safety Management DX Cases: Preventing Danger with IoT Sensors

Safety management on construction sites is always the top priority, and DX makes it possible to enhance safety beyond traditional methods. Traditionally, safety relied on patrols, visual checks by safety officers, and paper checklists, depending heavily on personnel and experience. A representative innovation in safety management through DX is the use of IoT sensors and wearable devices.

For example, some systems attach sensors to workers’ helmets and safety belts to monitor location and movement, issuing alarms when approaching hazardous areas. At one site, after implementing this system, operations were set so that if a worker tried to enter the operating area of heavy machinery, an alert would prompt immediate evacuation, significantly reducing the number of near-miss incidents. Environmental sensors that continuously monitor site temperature, humidity, and noise levels and notify managers when thresholds are about to be exceeded are also being adopted to proactively address risks such as heatstroke and noise-induced hearing loss.

AI-equipped surveillance cameras that detect dangerous behaviors from site video are also attracting attention. For example, a camera can detect a worker performing work at height without a lifeline and trigger an alert. This complements human oversight and helps prevent accidents before they occur. The keywords for safety management DX are “real-time monitoring and early warning detection.” Digital technology watches the site around the clock, enabling rapid response in the event of an incident and minimizing work stoppages or losses due to occupational accidents. This can lead to management benefits such as reduced occupational accident rates and lower insurance premiums.

Effects of safety management DX:

• Real-time detection of hazardous behavior through continuous sensor and camera monitoring

• Reduction in near-miss incidents and realization of zero major accidents

• Reduced risk of schedule delays and compensation costs due to occupational accidents

• Improved safety awareness and employee retention through visualization of the work environment

Accelerating Construction DX with LRTK: From Simple Mobile Surveying to Point Cloud Acquisition and AR

As shown in the cases introduced so far, the importance of “using data to improve efficiency and reduce labor” is clear. However, introducing the latest technology often carries the image of requiring expensive specialized equipment and expertise, which can feel like a high hurdle for small and medium-sized companies or site-level teams. As a final point, we introduce LRTK as an easy-to-adopt solution that delivers multifaceted DX effects.

LRTK is an innovative system that enables functions such as “high-precision positioning,” “3D point cloud scanning,” “AR display,” and “cloud sharing” using a single smartphone. By attaching a dedicated compact device to an iPhone or iPad and launching the LRTK app, anyone can easily perform on-site surveying and record as-built conditions. The secret lies in combining an RTK-GNSS receiver that enables centimeter-level positioning (half-inch accuracy) with the smartphone’s camera and LiDAR 3D scanning capabilities. Precision surveying that previously required total stations or laser scanners can be achieved with a palm-sized device and a smartphone using LRTK.

For example, with LRTK a single worker can walk around a site and quickly acquire point cloud data of the surrounding terrain and structures. Distances, areas, and volumes can be measured immediately on the acquired point cloud, so embankment and excavation volumes can be calculated on site. The measurement accuracy is excellent, and point cloud data augmented with high-precision positional information with errors of several cm (about 1–2 in) can be used directly for as-built management and comparison with design drawings. Furthermore, data acquired with LRTK can be stored and shared in the cloud, allowing 3D models scanned on site to be viewed immediately on office PCs and shared with stakeholders—no need to bring data back on USB drives. This makes LRTK effective for closing the information gap between site and office.

A particularly notable feature is AR display. The LRTK app can overlay acquired 3D data or design BIM models on the real site view. This enables, for example, visualizing the location of underground utilities on site to prevent damage during excavation, or comparing the placement of structures in the design with actual installed positions to verify construction accuracy. For tasks such as stakeout or pipe layout (the so-called “reverse staking”), AR can display points from the drawings in the field, allowing intuitively performed tasks that previously required surveying specialists.

Thus, LRTK provides an all-in-one platform for construction DX, from simple surveying to point cloud acquisition, AR-based on-site support, and cloud sharing. It can be operated by a small number of people without investing in expensive equipment, lowering the barrier to adoption and operation and making it immediately usable by small and medium-sized enterprises and site-level teams. If you do not know where to start with on-site digitalization, beginning by digitizing part of the work using LRTK allows you to readily experience the benefits of DX. In the era of construction DX, utilizing easy-to-use yet powerful tools like LRTK appears to be one of the secrets to operational efficiency and cost reduction.