Table of Contents

• What a Total Station Is

• What RTK (GNSS Surveying) Is

• Differences Between RTK Surveying and Total Stations

• Areas Where RTK Can Replace Total Stations

• Cases Where RTK Replacement Is Difficult

• Summary: RTK Prospects and Simple Surveying with LRTK

• FAQ

Advances in surveying technologies such as total stations and RTK are changing field surveying dramatically. In this article, we address the question, Can RTK replace total stations?, and organize the areas where RTK can “replace” total stations by comparing the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of both. This is aimed at people involved in surveying work (surveying companies, construction firms, municipal staff, etc.) and explains the latest trends. At the end of the article, we also introduce simple surveying using a new smartphone-based solution called LRTK.

What a Total Station Is

A total station (TS) is an optical surveying instrument traditionally used in the field. It simultaneously measures horizontal and vertical angles and the distance to a target to determine the three-dimensional coordinates of the point. It integrates a transit (theodolite) and an electronic distance meter (EDM), and is indispensable in a wide range of fields such as construction, civil engineering, and cadastral surveying.

When surveying with a total station, the instrument is normally set on a tripod and placed at an observation station (instrument point), and angles and distances are measured relative to known reference points. A prism reflector target is placed at the survey point, and the surveyor operates the total station to aim at the target. Such work typically requires two people working as a team, with one operating the instrument and the other carrying and moving the prism target. Also, because accurate surveying requires pre-calibration and periodic instrument calibration, maintenance involves time and cost.

Total stations boast high accuracy, and when used correctly can achieve relative accuracies on the order of millimeters. They are particularly powerful for precise alignment in confined areas, such as layout work on building sites or erection work. However, they require a line-of-sight (no obstacles between the instrument and the prism), so they cannot measure where visibility is blocked. Surveying large areas requires repeatedly relocating the instrument and remeasuring from known points, meaning that surveying wide areas is time-consuming and labor-intensive.

What RTK (GNSS Surveying) Is

RTK, short for Real Time Kinematic, is a high-precision positioning method using GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems). In Japanese it is called “real-time kinematic positioning” or simply “RTK surveying.” GNSS includes multiple systems such as the US GPS, Russia’s GLONASS, Europe’s Galileo, and Japan’s quasi-zenith satellite QZSS (Michibiki). RTK surveying uses signals from these satellites and performs data communication between a rover (mobile receiver) and a base station placed at a known position to correct positioning errors in real time.

Standalone GNSS positioning (code-based positioning) typically has errors on the order of a few meters (about 5–10 m (16.4–32.8 ft)), but RTK’s relative positioning to a base station can reduce errors to a few centimeters. Typically, horizontal positions of about ±1–2 cm (±0.4–0.8 in) and vertical accuracy of about ±3 cm (±1.2 in) can be achieved. This accuracy is sufficient for tasks requiring centimeter-level accuracy (centimeter-level accuracy (half-inch accuracy)), such as topographic mapping or stakeout work on construction sites.

To perform RTK surveying, a dedicated RTK-GNSS receiver (rover) and a base station at a known location are usually required. Recently, however, it has become common to obtain correction information via the internet by using established reference station networks or commercial network RTK services (e.g., VRS = Virtual Reference Station), without installing your own base station. The spread of network RTK means that in the field, a rover receiver and a communication device alone can provide immediate high-precision positioning.

One advantage of RTK is that the coordinates obtained are from the start absolute coordinates in a global geodetic system (latitude/longitude/height or plane rectangular coordinate systems). With total stations you must align the instrument’s setup position to known coordinates or perform coordinate transformation later by surveying calculations, but RTK eliminates that extra step. Also, GNSS positioning does not require line-of-sight as long as satellite signals can be received, so one person can efficiently survey wide areas, which is another major feature.

Differences Between RTK Surveying and Total Stations

Let’s organize the concrete differences between RTK and total stations. Each has strengths and weaknesses.

• Required personnel and work efficiency: A total station normally requires two people, whereas RTK surveying can be done by one person. Even when setting up a base station, one person carrying the rover receiver can visit survey points and complete the survey. In one implementation example, RTK use resulted in field efficiencies described as “no line-of-sight required, about 10 seconds per point, and operable by one person.” When measuring many points over a large site, RTK allows continuous recording of points while walking, so measurement speed improves dramatically.

• Surveying environment: Total stations require a direct line of sight between the instrument and the prism, so they cannot be used when trees or buildings obstruct views. RTK, however, only requires satellite visibility, so it performs best in open outdoor environments. GNSS depends on sky visibility, so positioning is unstable or impossible in forests, urban canyons (areas surrounded by tall buildings), indoors, or tunnels. Therefore, RTK excels in open environments, while total stations still have their role in environments with heavy signal blockage.

• Accuracy and characteristics: Both can provide high-precision positioning, but their characteristics differ. RTK surveying provides absolute position accuracy on the order of centimeters, while total stations provide extremely high relative accuracy for distances and angles, achieving millimeter-level precision over short distances. For localized high-precision tasks such as building layout lines or precise displacement monitoring, total stations are superior. On the other hand, RTK’s ability to obtain coordinates directly tied to a global geodetic system is an advantage for producing results with absolute accuracy as well as relative.

• Surveying range and work burden: For large-area surveys, RTK has the edge. RTK can position even when the rover is several kilometers from the base station (and for tens of kilometers, network RTK can be used), allowing seamless coverage of wide areas. Total stations are not suited to ranging over several hundred meters, and covering long distances requires chaining survey lines and relocating the instrument. Total station surveying also involves setting up the instrument and rotating angles for each point, whereas RTK does not require re-setting the instrument for each point; you can freely walk and measure many points.

• Initial preparation and setup: Total stations require setup procedures before work: instrument mounting, leveling, and aligning to a back sight (known point). RTK surveying also has base station setup work, but with network RTK you may not need to set up a base station at all. Turn on the rover and, after waiting a few tens of seconds for satellite acquisition and correction data reception, you can begin surveying (initialization to obtain a Fix solution also usually takes several tens of seconds). From a time-saving perspective, RTK simplifies field setup.

As shown above, RTK and total stations each have their areas of strength. In the next section, we look at concrete scenarios where RTK can replace total station work.

Areas Where RTK Can Replace Total Stations

With the development of RTK surveying technology, many tasks traditionally performed with total stations are becoming replaceable by RTK. In particular, the following areas increasingly see RTK taking over the role of total stations.

• Large-area topographic and control point surveying: RTK’s strengths shine in wide, unobstructed sites or mountainous areas. Tasks like installing multiple control points or measuring numerous terrain points for contouring can be done efficiently by one person with RTK. For environments such as airports, farmland, or large-scale reclamation sites—where there’s nothing blocking the sky—RTK can complete control and detailed surveys much faster than using a total station. In fact, one surveying company’s validation used network RTK for third-class control point surveying within an airport site and achieved TS-equivalent results with significant time savings.

• As-built management and surveying on construction sites: Under the recent ICT construction (i-Construction) trend, more heavy machinery is equipped with GNSS for construction management. RTK positioning is being used for checking embankment or subgrade elevations and for as-built management. Tasks that previously required pre-staked batter boards set up by TS or periodic TS inspections are being replaced by GNSS-equipped machinery and RTK real-time measurement. For example, roller compaction tracking uses GNSS to record travel paths and compaction counts, reducing manual staking and observation. In these areas, RTK’s strength in wide-area, real-time positioning often allows it to assume tasks once done by total stations.

• Installation of survey markers and stakeout work: RTK is increasingly used for stakeout in building and civil engineering. With a total station, stakeout required coordination between survey staff and workers, maintaining line-of-sight to position each stake. With RTK, simply bringing a pole-mounted receiver to the stake location allows on-the-spot coordinate confirmation. GNSS-capable dedicated devices or tablet apps can guide users to the target coordinates by indicating offset distance and direction, enabling non-specialists to place stakes accurately. This allows some stakeout and batter-board installation tasks to be replaced by RTK equipment, reducing time and personnel.

• Progress measurement and earthwork volume calculation: RTK is used for quantity control in civil works (calculating excavated or filled volumes). While drone photogrammetry and terrestrial laser scanners are options, using RTK receivers to directly acquire ground points is quick and cost-reducing. By surveying the ground surface densely with RTK-capable instruments and performing volume calculations and cross-section generation in software, tasks that required repeated TS cross-sections can be done once. Systems like LRTK, which enable 3D point cloud scanning with a smartphone, let you obtain high-density point clouds simply by walking the site and automate volume calculations, dramatically improving efficiency in quantity management.

• Rapid situation assessment at disaster sites: Disaster recovery sites demand rapid situation assessment and recording. Whereas traditionally survey teams were dispatched with TS or GPS for control and situation surveys, RTK surveying is changing practices. For example, Fukui City quickly adopted an iPhone-based RTK surveying system (LRTK Phone) for disaster response, achieving faster field surveying and recovery operations and reducing costs compared with traditional methods. Portable RTK equipment enables single-person surveying of disaster sites and immediate data sharing—making RTK a powerful alternative to total stations for initial emergency surveys.

In these areas, RTK is increasingly replacing the role of total stations. Especially where “wide area, efficiency, and immediacy” are required, RTK’s advantages prevail.

Cases Where RTK Replacement Is Difficult

On the other hand, there are still cases where the total station is superior or indispensable. It’s important to recognize where RTK is not万能.

• Places where satellite positioning is difficult: In forests, urban canyons, indoors, or underground spaces, GNSS signals are blocked or multipath reflections cause large errors, making RTK positioning difficult. In such environments, total stations that use prisms and visual aiming are reliable. Examples include dense forestry surveys, displacement measurements inside tunnels, and interior measurements of buildings—situations that still require total stations or conventional measuring instruments.

• High-precision deformation monitoring and precise measurements in confined areas: For monitoring bridges or buildings where millimeter-level displacements must be detected, total stations’ high-precision angle and distance measurements—which are less affected by temperature or atmospheric influences—are suitable. Although RTK can be highly accurate, GNSS is subject to slight positioning fluctuations due to satellite geometry and tropospheric effects. For extreme precision tasks (e.g., long-term dam deformation monitoring), total stations or EDMs are still used.

• Compliance with regulations and standards: Survey work is subject to legal standards and regulations. In Japan, public surveys and cadastral surveys have prescribed accuracies and procedures depending on the surveying method. Network RTK surveying is officially recognized and spreading, but some cases require certain qualifications or the establishment of control points. Some administrative operations still base their procedures on traditional total station methods. When introducing RTK, it’s necessary to confirm whether it meets required standards and institutional requirements.

Because of these limitations, the practical approach is to use total stations where RTK is difficult and otherwise apply both tools appropriately and complementarily. In many field situations, primary reliance on RTK with TS used as a backup allows a balance of efficiency and accuracy.

Summary: RTK Prospects and Simple Surveying with LRTK

RTK surveying is becoming established as a technology that can replace much traditional total station work due to its efficiency and ease of use. Especially in the areas of wide-area surveying and construction management, there are growing instances where “RTK is sufficient,” contributing significantly to productivity improvements in surveying operations. However, total stations remain indispensable for special conditions and tasks requiring extreme precision, so their role has not completely ended. Going forward, both will continue to be selected according to field needs, leveraging each tool’s characteristics.

Technological advances are making RTK even more accessible. For example, a startup from Tokyo Institute of Technology developed LRTK, a groundbreaking system that enables centimeter-class positioning simply by attaching a small RTK receiver to a smartphone (iPhone). High-precision surveying that once required specialized equipment can now be done with a pocketable device and a smartphone app. With LRTK, one person can perform stakeout surveys and 3D point cloud scanning, and the acquired data can be shared to the cloud immediately for drafting and analysis. As in the Fukui City disaster response case, it is powerful for rapid on-site surveying.

With such new technologies, surveying is moving toward greater simplification and labor savings. The areas in which RTK can replace total stations will likely expand further, and more people—construction managers, municipal staff, and others—will be able to use high-precision positioning easily. If you feel “we’d like to try RTK but it seems difficult,” considering smartphone-based solutions like LRTK may be an option. New surveying tools that challenge conventional wisdom are supporting productivity improvements and DX (digital transformation) in the field.

Finally, here are frequently asked questions about RTK and total stations in Q&A format.

FAQ

Q: What do I need to start RTK surveying? A: RTK surveying requires a GNSS receiver (rover) capable of centimeter-level accuracy and a base station that provides correction information. A base station can be provided by your own setup or by using network RTK services to receive correction data from established reference station networks. In addition, you need a controller to operate the receiver and display/record positioning results (dedicated controller, tablet, or smartphone) and a communication method (cellular network or radio). Recently, smartphone-plus-small-receiver products have appeared, making introduction easier than before.

Q: How accurate is RTK positioning? Is it sufficient compared to total stations? A: Under ideal conditions, RTK positioning can achieve approximately ±1–2 cm (±0.4–0.8 in) horizontally and ±3 cm (±1.2 in) in elevation. This is generally sufficient for common surveying and construction applications. Total stations, however, can measure relative positions with millimeter-level accuracy over short distances. In many field cases, required accuracy is on the order of a few centimeters, in which case RTK is adequate. Choose RTK or TS depending on the requirements.

Q: What should I do in places where RTK can’t be used, like urban canyons or forests? A: In locations without sufficient sky visibility, RTK alone is unfortunately difficult. In such cases, use total stations or EDMs as before, or adopt a hybrid method where control points obtained by RTK in open areas are tied into detailed measurements by total station. For example, in forestry you can obtain control point coordinates in open areas with RTK, then use a total station to survey inside the forest tied to those control points. Recently, smartphone RTK receivers that utilize augmentation signals from Japan’s quasi-zenith satellite “Michibiki” (CLAS) have appeared, enabling high-precision positioning even in mountainous areas with poor cellular coverage. Choose the surveying method appropriate to the environment.

Q: Will surveying costs decrease if we introduce RTK? A: Generally, RTK use can reduce personnel costs and working time, contributing to cost reductions. Factors such as converting two-person tasks into one-person tasks, shortening on-site time, and eliminating the need for additional control points allow efficiency gains. However, initial investment in RTK-capable equipment and software is required. Recently, inexpensive smartphone receivers and subscription-based network reference station services have lowered initial investment barriers compared to the past. Over the long term, total costs often decrease compared with traditional methods.

Q: Can people with limited surveying experience operate RTK? A: Traditional RTK-GNSS equipment sometimes required technical knowledge, but modern systems have improved user interfaces and are relatively intuitive. Smartphone app–linked products like LRTK are designed so that following on-screen guidance can yield survey results, meaning non-surveyors can perform basic stakeout and measurements. However, understanding coordinate systems and equipment characteristics is necessary to handle survey deliverables correctly. It is advisable to take training at startup or get expert support initially.

Q: Will RTK completely replace total stations in the future? A: RTK and other GNSS technologies may advance to cover many areas currently handled by total stations, but total stations retain advantages inherent to optical surveying. For the foreseeable future, both are expected to coexist and complement each other. The key is to choose the optimal method according to field conditions and required accuracy. Understanding the strengths of both RTK and total stations and developing the skill to select appropriately will maximize surveying efficiency and accuracy. Continue to monitor technological trends and apply tools wisely.