Table of contents

• Why are paper field notebooks outdated? Why on-site DX is needed

• What is point cloud data? How it differs from paper surveying

• Background and benefits of point cloud technology

• Benefits of sharing point cloud data in the cloud

• Effects of sharing site information in real time

• Barriers to point cloud adoption and solutions

• How anyone can measure and share point clouds

• Start on-site DX with simple surveying using LRTK

• FAQ

Why are paper field notebooks outdated? Why on-site DX is needed

In civil engineering and construction, survey results and notes have long been recorded in paper notebooks known as “field notebooks.” Durable and designed to be easy to write in outdoors, these notebooks have been dependable companions on site. However, there are limits to relying solely on paper field notebooks. Handwritten notes require later digitization, which takes time and can introduce human errors such as transcription mistakes or misreading. There is inevitably a time lag before site information is shared, which hampers real-time decision-making.

Moreover, it is difficult to share rich information such as drawings and photos on paper in the moment, so paper notebooks are often insufficient for accurately conveying increasingly complex site conditions. For example, subtle terrain contours or the fine details of structures are hard to imagine from numbers or plan views alone, making it difficult to explain the situation to people who are not on site. Information recorded in paper field notebooks also tends to remain with individual site personnel, making team-wide information sharing and reviews cumbersome.

Against this backdrop, the construction industry is calling strongly for on-site DX (digital transformation). Initiatives such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s “i-Construction” have been promoting digitalization across surveying, design, construction management, and inspection, accelerating moves to rethink paper-centric practices. While paper field notebooks are certainly sturdy and easy to use, in an era where data is handled digitally and shared instantly, they inevitably fall short in speed and expressiveness. To improve site efficiency and productivity, a shift from paper to the cloud has become unavoidable.

What is point cloud data? How it differs from paper surveying

A “point cloud” is data that digitally records a site’s shape as a collection of many points in three-dimensional space. Each point includes X, Y, and Z coordinate values, and when combined with captured images, each point can carry color (RGB) information. For example, measuring a terrain or structure surface with a laser scanner can yield millions of measurement points; plotting these points reproduces the object’s shape. Although it can look like a photo-like precise 3D model, its true nature is a mass of countless points.

In traditional surveying, skilled surveyors measured terrain feature points and key parts of structures one by one, recorded them in paper field notebooks, and later drafted drawings. Using point clouds, however, you can measure the entire object’s surface at once, eliminating measurement omissions and reducing the likelihood of later regrets like “I should have measured that point.” Laser scanning can capture the current state of a wide area in a short time, and can non-contact record shapes of complex terrain or large structures safely and efficiently. Viewing the resulting detailed point cloud data on a computer gives a 3D view that seems to cut out the site as it really is.

Point cloud technology has been rapidly becoming more accessible in recent years. It used to require specialized equipment and advanced skills, but now there are more situations where point clouds can be acquired with tools anyone can handle, such as drones and tablets. Use of 3D point clouds is spreading across a wide range of fields—not only civil engineering and surveying, but also architecture, plant equipment maintenance, disaster site documentation, and cultural heritage preservation. Point cloud data that can digitally copy an entire site is a true “digital twin” of the real space.

Background and benefits of point cloud technology

The attention to on-site point cloud use stems from industry challenges and expectations for digital technology. Facing severe labor shortages, long working hours, and stagnant productivity, the construction industry sees 3D point clouds as a trump card for DX (digital transformation). The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has been promoting ICT use on sites, and this has advanced the spread of drone surveying and mobile device–based point cloud measurement.

Point cloud technology offers concrete benefits, including:

• Overwhelming time savings and labor reduction: The biggest advantage of point cloud measurement is a dramatic increase in work speed. For example, surveying a development site spanning several hectares that took three days with a total station was completed in two days with a terrestrial laser scanner, and in about half a day with drone photogrammetry in some reported cases. In experiments, drone-mounted LiDAR finished measuring a wide area in one-sixth of the time compared to traditional methods. This drastically reduces the number of days spent on surveying, freeing up personnel and schedules. There are cases where field measurements that used to require two people were completed by one person, making point clouds effective as a countermeasure to labor shortages.

• Improved accuracy and coverage: Point clouds can densely record an object’s shape down to every nook and cranny, enabling accurate, gap-free understanding of current conditions. It is easy to extract cross-sections or plan views from the obtained 3D data as needed, improving the accuracy of design and construction planning. Even for old plant facilities without existing drawings, obtaining point cloud data allows later creation of CAD drawings or BIM models. Point clouds that digitally preserve the entire site are invaluable data that can be used consistently from design and construction through maintenance. Small differences in shape can be discovered in the data, helping to prevent rework and ensure quality.

• Improved safety: Point cloud measurement is performed non-contact via laser or photography, allowing measurements without sending people into dangerous areas. High structures or steep slopes at risk of collapse can be measured remotely and safely. This reduces worker risk and can have secondary benefits such as shorter traffic restrictions. High-altitude inspections that once required safety lines can be completed safely and quickly by acquiring point clouds with drones from above.

These multi-faceted benefits—efficiency, improved accuracy, and safety—are the main reasons point cloud technology is drawing attention. Many companies are embarking on point cloud utilization as a new tool that can fundamentally reform site operations.

Benefits of sharing point cloud data in the cloud

To leverage point cloud data to the fullest, sharing it with stakeholders in the cloud is key. Traditionally, large point cloud datasets collected on site were taken back to the office on USB drives or took a long time to transfer, making immediate sharing and review difficult. Using a cloud service eliminates this time loss. If point cloud data is uploaded via the Internet, anyone can access the latest 3D data whether they are in the office or out in the field.

Specific benefits of sharing point clouds in the cloud include:

• View and operate anywhere: Point cloud data can be large and difficult to handle without a high-performance PC, but placing it in the cloud means a web browser is enough. From desktop PCs to tablets and smartphones, point clouds can be smoothly displayed with a 3D viewer. Managers or clients away from site can check site details on their own devices.

• Multiple people sharing simultaneously: Aggregating point cloud data in the cloud allows all stakeholders to view the same latest data. If someone adds new survey data, it is reflected to everyone immediately, eliminating the risk of mistakes from using older versions. There is no need to resend drawings and reports by email repeatedly; everyone can refer to a centrally managed source. By having team members look at one cloud location rather than each carrying separate data, confusion over “which information is the latest?” disappears.

• Share rich information: Cloud point cloud viewers can do more than display points; they can overlay drawings or BIM/CIM models, link 360-degree camera images taken at each measurement point, and recreate the site in a virtual space. Stakeholders can experience the situation as if they were on site, reducing discrepancies in spatial recognition. Some services also let you measure distances and areas in the viewer or leave comments on points of interest, making them effective communication tools.

• No need for high-performance PCs: Since large point cloud data is managed and processed on the cloud, users’ local devices do not require high specs. Even tens of millions of points can be rendered and streamed from the cloud for smooth viewing on a field office laptop or tablet. No need to install specialized software or perform complex settings—sharing a URL is enough for anyone to view, which is also very convenient.

By using the cloud, point cloud data can be delivered instantly from the field to the office and used simultaneously at multiple locations. Site personnel and remote engineers can discuss while viewing the same 3D model, greatly speeding up decision-making. The cloud functions not just as storage, but as an information hub connecting site, office, clients, and subcontractors.

Effects of sharing site information in real time

Using the cloud makes it possible to almost real-time convey site conditions to stakeholders. This enables workflows that share and decide based on the site’s “now.” Traditionally, it was common for surveying results to be taken back and turned into drawings or reports, taking more than a day. With real-time sharing, for example, survey data captured in the morning can be reviewed by the design team in the afternoon, allowing construction plans to be revised the same day.

Speeding up decision-making is the greatest effect of real-time sharing. If unexpected ground anomalies or discrepancies with the design are found on site, you can scan in 3D there and immediately consult the office. Because everyone can discuss while viewing the same screen, subtle nuances that are hard to convey by email or phone are shared, enabling accurate decisions. This helps prevent rework and construction errors, ultimately shortening schedules and reducing costs.

Real-time sharing also excels in progress management and emergency response. For large projects, regularly scanning the site to visualize progress in 3D makes it easy to spot deviations from the plan. A project manager remote from the site can view the latest model and give appropriate instructions without being constantly on site. In emergencies or accidents, quickly measuring the site with drones and immediately sharing the point cloud accelerates situation assessment and initial response. For example, in the event of a slope collapse, comparing pre- and post-collapse point clouds can instantly calculate the lost soil volume and allow rapid recovery planning.

Real-time site information sharing is like a live broadcast that seamlessly connects the site and remote locations. With everyone always sharing the latest situation, site response speed and accuracy improve dramatically.

Barriers to point cloud adoption and solutions

When point cloud technology first emerged, there were several high barriers to adoption. Equipment costs were extremely high, with only some large companies or specialists able to afford them. Large 3D laser scanners and high-precision GNSS equipment required investments in the millions of yen, making them prohibitive for small and medium-sized enterprises. Additionally, specialized software to process and edit the massive point cloud data was complex, requiring highly skilled technicians. Data sizes were enormous, making it difficult to handle on corporate networks, and immediate sharing of field-measured data was not practical.

However, these barriers have steadily lowered. Advances in sensor technology and mass production have driven down equipment costs year by year. Drone and tablet-based simple point cloud measurement tools have appeared, increasing cases where 3D data can be captured without expensive dedicated equipment. Software has become remarkably more user-friendly, and cloud services and apps that let non-experts intuitively handle point clouds are increasingly available. For example, services now exist that automatically synthesize and analyze point clouds simply by uploading photos to the cloud, automating complex processing behind the scenes. Government and industry programs supporting ICT adoption are in place, and more opportunities for training and workshops help site personnel learn new technologies.

In short, point cloud technology that used to belong to specialists is now becoming accessible to ordinary construction managers and surveyors. While there may be concerns about initial investments and learning curves, starting gradually—such as trialing on small sites—lets you experience benefits while keeping risks low. The important point is that technological progress has brought point clouds to a level that is far more approachable than people might expect. With this tailwind, now is an excellent time to start using point clouds.

How anyone can measure and share point clouds

Concerns like “You can’t handle point clouds without specialized equipment or knowledge, right?” are becoming a thing of the past. Today there are many options that enable site personnel to easily measure point clouds themselves. Representative methods include:

• Using a smartphone or tablet: Recent smartphones include LiDAR sensors, and with dedicated apps you can acquire 3D point clouds of the surroundings by simple scans. Using a tablet lets you check scan results in real time on a large screen, so you can inspect the result on site as you measure. While not as accurate as dedicated devices, they are practical for understanding indoor space shapes or measuring small structures. Add-on sensors for smartphones have also appeared to improve accuracy, and products that achieve high-precision positioning with a smartphone are available.

• Flying a drone for measurement: Drones are powerful for surveying wide areas. Capturing the site from above with a camera and creating point cloud models from the photos via photogrammetry is now a common civil surveying method. Dedicated 3D scanners for drones can obtain high-density point clouds in cases where photos struggle, such as terrain under tree cover or nighttime structural surveys. Aerial surveying can capture data thoroughly in a short time, making it highly effective for large sites or landslide areas.

• Using a handheld 3D scanner: Small laser scanners that can be carried while walking (so-called SLAM-equipped handheld scanners) have become widespread. By simply holding and moving the device you can scan the surroundings, creating 3D models of indoor rooms or complex piping systems quickly. Building surveys that used to rely on manual dimensioning can greatly reduce survey time with handheld scanners. Some devices are backpack-mounted or integrate with smartphones, allowing selection based on the scene.

There are various point cloud measurement methods depending on purpose and scale. Acquired data can be imported to a laptop or tablet on site and uploaded to cloud storage or a dedicated platform as needed, allowing immediate team sharing and use. Rather than avoiding it as too difficult, it’s a good idea to start with familiar tools and small-scale measurements. By handling 3D point clouds yourself, you can directly feel their usefulness.

Start on-site DX with simple surveying using LRTK

Among the new tools, “LRTK,” which enables easy high-precision surveying using a smartphone, is attracting attention as a trump card for on-site DX. LRTK is a versatile surveying system that attaches a pocket-sized GNSS receiver to a smartphone or tablet. Combined with a dedicated LRTK app, a smartphone or tablet instantly becomes a centimeter-level (half-inch) positioning device, allowing one person to perform simple surveying.

For example, simply point the device at the point you want to measure and press a button to obtain high-precision coordinate values that are immediately saved to the cloud. There is no need to copy numbers into a paper field notebook. The acquired data is automatically uploaded to the LRTK cloud on the spot, so colleagues in the office can check field measurement information in real time via a web browser. You can even measure distances between surveyed points on that web screen, making it an ideal solution that connects the field and the office.

LRTK supports high-precision GNSS and can maintain positioning accuracy even in mountainous areas without cell coverage by receiving correction data (CLAS) provided by Japan’s quasi-zenith satellite system. It also supports applications such as checking alignment with design drawings on-site using AR (augmented reality) on the smartphone screen. Designed with intuitive operation so anyone can use it, even staff unfamiliar with cutting-edge technologies can use it with confidence.

By using LRTK, you can replace traditional surveying reliant on paper field notebooks and manpower with a system that enables high-precision, quick site measurements and immediate sharing with few personnel. It is an excellent first step toward point cloud utilization. If you’re interested, be sure to check the [LRTK official site](https://www.lrtk.lefixea.com). It will surely become a strong helper for your on-site DX.

FAQ

Q. What is point cloud data? A. Point cloud data is a collection of many three-dimensional coordinate points obtained by laser scanners or photogrammetry. It digitally represents an object’s shape with countless points, and when displayed on a computer it appears as a realistic 3D model.

Q. What are the benefits of sharing point cloud data in the cloud? A. Large point cloud files hosted in the cloud can be viewed from anywhere via the Internet. Multiple people can check the latest data simultaneously, and a browser can display and measure the data without specialized software. Centralized data management reduces miscommunication and enables smooth collaboration with remote teams.

Q. How can I share site point clouds in real time? A. The key is to set up an environment that allows immediate upload of point cloud data from the field to the cloud via mobile networks. For example, using a smartphone or tablet point cloud app to send data directly from site to the cloud enables almost real-time viewing by the office. If connectivity is difficult, uploading via portable Wi‑Fi right after measurement minimizes lag.

Q. Doesn’t adopting point cloud technology require high costs and expertise? A. Compared to the past, the barriers to adopting point clouds have significantly decreased. Equipment costs are falling and affordable smartphone-compatible measurement devices have emerged. Software has been simplified and made more intuitive. Training from vendors or local governments is also available, so you can learn step by step without specialist knowledge. Starting small lets you test benefits without large investments.

Q. Can people unfamiliar with ICT or veteran staff use it effectively? A. Yes—modern point cloud tools are designed to be easy for anyone on site to use. They focus on simple, guided operations and do not require difficult computer skills. While there may be some initial hesitation, training and support make short-term learning feasible. Experienced workers’ know-how combined with digital tools can make their expertise even more valuable, and veterans often appreciate the convenience.

Q. What is simple surveying with LRTK? A. Simple surveying with LRTK uses a small high-precision GNSS receiver attached to a smartphone to perform a new style of surveying. Without specialized equipment, you can obtain centimeter-level (half-inch) position coordinates with just a smartphone and immediately share the data in the cloud. It lets one person easily perform on-site inspections and volume measurements, greatly improving efficiency over traditional notebook and manual surveying.