Comprehensive Guide to the Meaning and Effects of CIM: How to Choose Without Failing and Techniques for Utilizing LRTK

In recent years, "CIM" has been attracting attention in the construction industry. Led by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the use of CIM has, in principle, begun for directly administered public works from fiscal 2023, and construction sites are entering a major period of transformation. But what exactly does "CIM" mean, and what benefits can be gained by introducing it? Also, what points should be considered when choosing tools to ensure CIM succeeds?

In this article, we thoroughly explain the basic meaning and benefits of CIM and introduce key points for selecting the right options to avoid failure during implementation. We also cover how to make CIM more effective through simplified surveying using the latest technology, “LRTK.” If you are considering introducing CIM or want to promote on-site DX, please use this as a reference.

Now, let's get started by looking at the basics of CIM.

What is CIM? Its Definition and Domestic Trends

CIM stands for "Construction Information Modeling (コンストラクション・インフォメーション・モデリング)" and refers to a method of utilizing three-dimensional models in the civil infrastructure sector. It is essentially the same concept as BIM (Building Information Modeling) used in the architectural field, and denotes an approach in which, for civil projects such as bridges, roads, and dams, all related information—such as design data, component attributes, schedules, and costs—is linked to 3D models and centrally managed so it can be used consistently from planning and design through construction and maintenance. By integrating detailed digital models and vast amounts of information in 3D, all stakeholders can always share the most up-to-date and accurate status, contributing to improved project productivity through reductions in mistakes and rework and shorter construction schedules.

Globally, BIM/CIM has become a core technology of digital transformation in the construction industry, and many countries are advancing its adoption in public works. For example, Singapore has realized "Virtual Singapore," a national project that creates a 3D model of the entire city. In Japan, the spread of BIM/CIM has lagged behind Europe and the United States, but the situation has been changing dramatically in recent years. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism moved up its original schedule and announced a policy to apply BIM/CIM in principle to all directly managed public works and detailed design work from April 2023 instead of the initially planned 2025. This reflects efforts to improve productivity in construction, promote remote work amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and address the worsening labor shortage. Furthermore, by 2025 Japan aims to realize 4D including the time axis and 5D adding cost information, and to standardize BIM/CIM as a JIS standard, rapidly accelerating efforts to catch up with the rest of the world. These policy trends are part of the "i-Construction" strategy, which seeks a productivity revolution by introducing ICT to construction sites, and BIM/CIM is positioned as its core technology. As a result, under government-led guideline development and strengthened efforts by companies, the number of CIM implementations has been increasing year by year. CIM is now becoming an indispensable foundational technology for promoting DX in construction.

Benefits and Effects of CIM

When CIM is implemented, various benefits can be obtained compared with conventional two-dimensional drawing-centered workflows. The main effects are summarized as follows.

• Improving design accuracy and facilitating consensus-building: Interferences and inconsistencies that are easily overlooked in drawings can be detected in advance on a 3D model. Because design intent can be shared visually, misunderstandings in communication with clients, contractors, and local residents are reduced, and reaching agreement becomes smoother. For example, if you show the finished image of a bridge or road as a 3D model at a residents' briefing, "seeing is believing," making it easier to gain understanding.

• Operational efficiency and productivity improvement: By reusing a single 3D model across the entire project, the need to redraw drawings for each phase is reduced, preventing rework during the design stage and cutting additional work during construction. The so-called front-loading effect can also shorten the overall construction period. In fact, a survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) reported that the introduction of ICT construction reduced earthworks work time by about 30% and paving and dredging by about 40%. In particular, with the use of BIM/CIM, one site saw daily workloads reduced by up to 60%, and a 54% efficiency improvement was demonstrated in quantity measurement tasks. In an earthworks site case, overall tasks were reduced by as much as 77%, underscoring the significant productivity gains achievable through CIM.

• Advancement of construction management (Improvement of quality and safety): If an environment is established where the latest 3D model can always be viewed on site, real-time management becomes possible—detecting deviations from the design during construction on the spot and correcting them immediately. Even during inspection of as-built (completed construction), by overlaying the final model with the current conditions and color-coding discrepancies, you can instantly identify areas that require additional work. Because dimensions and elevations can be read directly from attribute information linked to the model and compared with the actual site, the need to repeatedly consult paper drawings is eliminated. Such use helps prevent human error and reduce rework, contributing to improved construction quality and safety.

• Use in maintenance and asset management: Even after handover, the 3D models created with CIM can be leveraged for maintenance. For example, displaying past crack records on the model during regular inspections and comparing them with the actual structure allows the progression of deterioration to be intuitively understood. It is also possible to simulate future repair plans in 3D or to reduce excavation risks by visualizing the locations of underground buried objects in AR. In this way, CIM facilitates information sharing across the entire lifecycle of construction projects and can be said to be a trump card that greatly contributes to reducing waste and risk.

As described above, the benefits of introducing CIM extend very broadly—from design and construction through to maintenance and management. In Japan as well, the number of projects applying BIM/CIM has been increasing year by year; rising from 11 projects in 2012 to 132 projects in 2017, adoption has accelerated due to clear evidence of effectiveness. CIM has now become an essential technology for promoting DX in the industry. As its diffusion continues to advance, it will be necessary to maximize the benefits it offers.

Key Points for Choosing a CIM Implementation That Won't Fail

CIM offers substantial benefits, but when actually implementing and operating it, you will encounter several challenges. If appropriate measures are not taken in advance, there is a risk that, despite having implemented it, you will not achieve sufficient results. Here, we introduce the key points to keep in mind to ensure successful CIM implementation.

• Phased implementation and cost measures: Introducing CIM requires initial investment in 3D-capable design software, high-performance PCs, and cloud environments. Converting existing 2D drawing assets into 3D also requires effort. This burden is particularly heavy for small and medium-sized enterprises and can prevent them from moving forward with implementation. As countermeasures, it is advisable to utilize subsidies and support programs from the government or industry associations, or to introduce the system experimentally in small-scale projects to verify effectiveness and then expand gradually. Recently, affordable BIM-compatible tools and cloud services have emerged, so starting with partial implementation within a manageable scope is a realistic approach.

• Addressing labor shortages and selecting tools: To make full use of CIM, personnel skilled in 3D modeling and ICT are required, but the industry as a whole still lacks such talent. Even if companies establish specialized in-house departments, securing and training staff often lags behind, leaving these initiatives unused. Possible measures include enlisting external BIM consultants and technicians, utilizing vendor-led training, and investing in developing young employees' digital skills. At the same time, it is important to choose user-friendly solutions that can be handled without specialized knowledge. Tools with intuitive interfaces and automation features can be deployed on site without lengthy training. For example, devices like the LRTK described later, which on-site workers can begin using immediately, could become a trump card for resolving labor shortages.

• Reduce on-site resistance: The more a site has relied on paper drawings and 2D workflows for many years, the greater the psychological resistance to new digital processes. It is not uncommon to hear concerns such as "this won't suit our site" or "the crew won't be able to keep up even if we introduce the technology." To overcome this, it is important to share the purpose of introducing CIM (achieving efficient, high-quality construction with fewer personnel) from management down to the field, and to build understanding by accumulating small successes. In addition to top-down promotion, encourage site-driven, bottom-up proposals and innovations, and gradually reduce resistance by disseminating successful cases across the company.

• Data integration and standardization measures: When the formats of survey and design data and the software used differ by department or partner company, it can cause time-consuming CIM model handovers and breaks in information flow. To avoid this, it is important to choose tools that support open data formats such as the international standard IFC format, and to establish a common data environment (CDE) for sharing 3D models and drawings among project stakeholders. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has presented standard procedures by publishing the "BIM/CIM Introduction Guidelines," so actively utilize such public guides and industry standards. Rather than keeping everything in-house, build a data integration foundation while incorporating external expertise to reduce the risk of failure in CIM implementation.

By preparing while addressing the above points, the success rate of CIM implementation will increase significantly.

LRTK Utilization Techniques: Strong Support for CIM Utilization through Simplified Surveying

*A compact GNSS receiver "LRTK Phone" attached to a smartphone. Pocket-sized and easy to carry*

LRTK (pronounced "el-are-tee-kay") is attracting attention as an on-site solution that addresses the above issues and maximizes the benefits of CIM. It is a pocket-sized, versatile surveying device developed by Refixia, a startup originating from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, and is used by attaching an ultra-compact RTK-GNSS receiver to a smartphone or tablet. This enables centimeter-level high-precision positioning (real-time kinematic; cm level accuracy (half-inch accuracy)) with a single handheld device, allowing immediate high-precision surveying and 3D scanning on-site without the need for expensive dedicated surveying equipment or skilled technicians.

• Convenience and low cost: The LRTK weighs about 165 g and is compact and lightweight, so it fits in a pocket and can be taken out whenever needed. With a built-in battery, it is easy to handle. The price is also significantly lower than conventional surveying equipment, and it is expected to become a common on-site tool that can be issued one per person. Allowing everyone to have their own high-precision surveying device reduces downtime waiting for surveys and leads to improved overall site productivity.

• Multifunctional surveying tasks: With just a single smartphone and LRTK, you can cover a wide range of surveying and measurement needs, from single-point positioning to continuous positioning, point cloud data acquisition, as-built earthwork volume calculations, photogrammetry, and staking out (setting out). Tasks that traditionally required multiple instruments and specialized skills—such as total stations and laser scanners—can now be performed by anyone with a smartphone equipped with LRTK. For example, as-built measurements that used to take a survey team half a day with a total station can be completed in a short time by the site personnel using LRTK, who can then immediately compare the results with the design model to check for discrepancies.

• Real-time data sharing: Positioning data acquired with LRTK can be uploaded to the cloud from a smartphone app with a single tap. Staff in the office can also instantly view survey point information and point cloud data from a web browser, closing the information gap between the field and the design office. This removes the need to carry data back on a USB memory stick and ensures the latest field information is always reflected in the model.

• Intuitive verification with AR: An AR feature that overlays 3D design models onto on-site footage on smartphone or tablet screens is also a strength of LRTK. For example, in bridge construction, you can display the 3D rebar model created during design in AR and overlay it on the assembled real rebar to inspect for misalignments. After completion, point cloud data acquired with LRTK can be overlaid with BIM/CIM models for comparison, and differences can be color-coded to streamline inspection tasks. AR can also be used to render buried pipes and structures as see-through overlays, enabling safer excavation work.

By leveraging LRTK in this way, site measurements that previously required specialized surveying teams and expensive equipment can be performed easily by anyone, allowing the 3D models built with CIM to be seamlessly linked to the actual construction site. Because it enables real-time information sharing between the field and design and precise as-built management, it can eliminate common challenges when implementing CIM—such as discrepancies between survey data and design models and the information gap between the site and the office—and become a powerful tool to maximize CIM’s effectiveness.

Conclusion: Experience Easy Surveying That Anyone Can Do with LRTK

The implementation of CIM and the promotion of on-site DX are indispensable initiatives for the future of the construction industry. However, to truly utilize new technologies on site, a tangible, hands-on sense of confidence gained from actually using them is important. LRTK is a solution many field users describe as "easy for anyone to use" and "once you use it, you can't go back." For example, even a new worker with no surveying experience can, with just a smartphone equipped with LRTK, perform the necessary surveying themselves from that day and display 3D models in AR for construction checks. Truly, "simple surveying" is becoming a reality, and the way work is conducted on-site is changing.

If CIM and LRTK are combined, anyone can leverage digital technologies to improve on-site productivity and quality. In the construction industry going forward, there is no doubt that companies that proactively adopt new technologies will gain a competitive advantage. First, why not try simple surveying with LRTK and experience its convenience for yourself? Detailed information about LRTK is available on the [LRTK official site](https://www.lrtk.lefixea.com), so if you are interested, please check it out.