Table of Contents

• What is transported soil volume?

• Why managing transported soil volume is important

• Traditional soil volume management methods and challenges

• Digitalization of construction sites and the emergence of soil volume management tools

• Types of transported soil volume management tools

• Smartphone-based soil volume measurement tools

• Benefits of cloud integration for information sharing

• On-site effects of introducing soil volume management tools

• Simple surveying with LRTK

• FAQ

What is transported soil volume?

On civil engineering and land development sites, large amounts of earth and soil are excavated, transported, and used for embankments. "Transported soil volume" refers to the volume of soil moved out of a site or transported to another location during such works. This includes spoil from excavation (soil that is no longer needed) and fill used for reclamation or embankment—basically the total amount of soil relocated as part of the project. Soil volume is generally expressed in cubic meters (m³) and is an important indicator for understanding project scale, arranging disposal destinations, and calculating costs.

At planning stage, estimates of transported soil volume are made in the form of “transport X cubic meters of soil.” During construction, it is also necessary to track how much soil was actually removed or brought in. Transported soil volume is directly linked to construction progress and final shape control, and accurately understanding it helps avoid wasteful work and prevents problems.

Why managing transported soil volume is important

Why is managing transported soil volume so important? One major reason is cost control. Transporting soil requires heavy equipment like dump trucks, labor costs, and disposal fees at treatment sites. If the amount of transported soil differs significantly from initial estimates, it can affect the overall project budget. Accurate soil volume management is essential to suppress unnecessary costs and complete work within budget.

Another reason is schedule management and reporting obligations. For earthworks, clients often require reports on “how many cubic meters were excavated and where they were transported.” Without proper management, discrepancies in understanding with the client may arise, or you may be disadvantaged in progress assessments. Public works especially demand strict final-shape management including transported soil volume, so site supervisors must keep accurate daily figures.

Additionally, from environmental and compliance perspectives, proper spoil management is increasingly important. It may be necessary to ensure that construction-derived soil (so-called spoil) is transported to designated disposal sites and to report to local authorities or manage manifests. Thus, managing transported soil volume plays a crucial role not only economically but also for project reliability and legal compliance.

Traditional soil volume management methods and challenges

Traditionally, the following methods have been used on site to determine and calculate transported soil volume. However, these techniques have posed several challenges when trying to obtain quick and accurate on-the-spot measurements.

• Measurement using surveying instruments (total stations, etc.): Specialized surveyors use optical surveying instruments (total stations) to measure many points’ heights and positions on site, create a terrain model, and calculate volumes. Although accurate, point measurements take time on large sites and require personnel such as a surveyor and assistants. There is also the overhead of bringing measurement data back to the office for analysis and calculation, making it difficult to obtain immediate results.

• Average cross-section method for volume calculation: A long-used method for roadworks. Cross-sections of the terrain are prepared at regular intervals, and cut-and-fill volumes for each section are calculated from cross-sectional areas and summed to obtain total volume. This involves manual calculations on drawings or CAD-based drawing computations and cannot completely reflect terrain changes between sections, giving only an approximate value. Because surveying and drawing take time, it is not suitable for real-time understanding.

• Photogrammetry using drones: A recently popular method where small unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) photograph the site from above and generate 3D models from multiple images to calculate volumes. It can efficiently survey wide areas at once, but is susceptible to weather and wind and requires flight permission procedures. Processing acquired data in specialized software also demands expertise and time, so obtaining results immediately after imaging can be difficult.

• Visual estimation based on experience: Without surveying instruments or drones, site personnel sometimes estimate soil volume roughly as “about X truckloads” based on experience. While quick, this relies on human judgment and can have large errors, leading to disputes with clients if actual quantities differ. It should be treated only as a rough reference and is not an accurate management method.

As shown above, traditional methods had issues such as being time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring specialized skills, and lacking immediacy. Even if someone on site wants to know the exact soil volume “right now,” it is hard to answer immediately, and reporting often ends up being done after compiling daily reports. Conveying volumes by numbers alone can be hard to visualize, so explanations using paper drawings or tables are necessary, which also takes time and effort to share information with clients or other departments.

Digitalization of construction sites and the emergence of soil volume management tools

Recently, the construction industry faces serious labor shortages and needs to respond to work-style reforms, so improving site management efficiency has become a major issue. Digitalization of construction sites using ICT technologies—so-called site DX—led by initiatives like the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s “i-Construction” is rapidly progressing. Within this trend, attention is focusing on the existence of digital tools that can measure and manage transported soil volume accurately and in real time.

By leveraging the latest sensor technologies and cloud services, soil volume measurements that previously relied on specialists and took time can increasingly be performed quickly by site staff themselves. For example, work that might have been paused while waiting for a surveyor or results can now be checked on the spot with new tools to confirm the as-built shape (cut-and-fill condition), reducing rework and waiting time. Site digitalization is expected not only to improve efficiency but also to reduce the burden on veteran technicians and support skills transfer.

Types of transported soil volume management tools

Transported soil volume management tools come in various types depending on their purpose and functions. Broadly, they can be classified into tools for measuring soil volume, tools for managing transport operations and records, and tools for estimation/simulation used to calculate quantities and cost estimates before construction. Representative types are summarized below.

• On-site measurement tools: Devices or apps for directly measuring soil volume on site. These include the aforementioned total stations, 3D laser scanners, and high-precision GNSS devices. Recently, products that attach external devices to smartphones so anyone can easily measure soil volume have appeared. These tools scan current terrain or soil piles and instantly calculate their volume.

• Operation management / recording tools: Systems for managing the movements of vehicles such as dump trucks that transport soil and for recording actual transported volumes. GPS-equipped terminals or smartphones assigned to vehicles can capture routes and loads, and automatically aggregate transported volumes from the number of trips and weights. Vehicle-focused tools may propose optimal routes considering traffic congestion and allow real-time monitoring of each truck’s position and transport status from the site office. Another approach is installing truck scales on site and digitally managing weighing data to accurately determine transported quantities.

• Estimation / simulation tools: Software for calculating earthwork quantities and estimating spoil disposal costs during the planning phase. There are estimation support tools that automatically calculate excavation and fill quantities from terrain data in design drawings, and web apps that compute disposal costs when you input transport distance and number of truckloads. Using these tools before construction helps identify disposal costs and required vehicle numbers early, aiding plan optimization.

Smartphone-based soil volume measurement tools

As mentioned above, smartphone-based soil volume measurement tools have recently attracted particular attention. By attaching a small high-precision GNSS receiver (GPS terminal) to a smartphone and using a dedicated surveying app, precise 3D surveying of the site can be achieved with pocket-sized equipment. The smartphone’s camera or LiDAR sensor scans the terrain or soil piles, and the app automatically calculates volume from that data.

Using such smartphone-integrated surveying tools eliminates the need to lug heavy tripods or surveying machines around the site. Simply walk around the soil to be measured while holding the smartphone and scanning, and the volume in cubic meters appears on the screen immediately. Tasks that used to take several days for survey results can now be completed on site within minutes, allowing site staff to quickly grasp soil volumes themselves. The ability to proceed without waiting for a specialized survey team contributes greatly to shorter schedules and reduced personnel requirements.

Measurements combining a smartphone and positioning device can utilize government-provided high-precision positioning services (e.g., satellite positioning augmentation services) to obtain position coordinates within an error range of a few centimeters (a few inches). This enables volume calculations with accuracy comparable to conventional surveying instruments. Although advanced technology is used, user interfaces are designed to be intuitive and easy to understand so that even those with limited surveying experience can operate them with confidence.

Benefits of cloud integration for information sharing

Many of the latest transported soil volume management tools are equipped to integrate with cloud services so data can be utilized. Measurement data captured on site can be saved on a smartphone or tablet and uploaded to the cloud with a single tap for internal sharing. Storing 3D point cloud data and measurement results in the cloud allows office PCs to check site状況 via a browser and share data with supervisors or clients in remote locations.

This cloud integration makes real-time information sharing and remote support easy. For example, if a site staff member finds a situation difficult to judge, they can have headquarters technicians view cloud data and receive advice. This enables less experienced staff to proceed with work more confidently. Digitizing and accumulating data in the cloud also simplifies storing and searching construction records, making report preparation and as-built inspections smoother. Compared with traditional paper-based methods, the ability to quickly share accurate and rich information among stakeholders is a major advantage.

On-site effects of introducing soil volume management tools

Introducing transported soil volume management tools on site can be expected to produce various effects. Below are the main benefits summarized.

• Immediate, accurate soil volume data: Volumes can be calculated on site immediately, allowing decisions and instructions to be issued on the spot. Reduced waiting times lead to overall project acceleration.

• Labor savings and mitigation of labor shortages: Necessary measurements can be performed by site staff without requiring a specialized surveyor on site. This helps cover staffing shortages and reduce workload.

• Prevention of rework and mistakes: Real-time confirmation of as-built conditions allows early detection and correction of soil shortages or surpluses. This prevents rework after completion and reduces losses from mistakes.

• Shared understanding with clients: Visual data sharing makes explanations to clients and stakeholders easier. Site situations that are hard to convey by numbers alone can be shared via 3D models and visualized information, facilitating consensus building.

• Improved safety and quality: Managing construction based on accurate survey data reduces errors such as over-excavation or over-filling. This helps ensure design-quality execution and safe construction. Also, site DX enables systematic inspections and record-keeping, improving overall safety management levels.

Simple surveying with LRTK

As an example of the innovative soil volume management tools introduced above, there is LRTK. LRTK is a smartphone-integrated high-precision GNSS measurement system developed by Lefixea Inc., used by attaching it to iPhone or Android smartphones. With the dedicated LRTK app, anyone can 3D-scan terrain by walking with a smartphone on site and perform precise soil volume calculations immediately.

Using LRTK replaces surveying that previously required heavy equipment with a palm-sized device. For example, to measure the volume of spoil piles from excavation or fill before backfilling, simply walking around the area with an LRTK-equipped smartphone will calculate the cubic meters within a few minutes. Measurement results are immediately visible on the smartphone screen and can be synced to the cloud with a single tap for internal sharing. The ability for site personnel to obtain and use necessary data without arranging a specialized surveying team is a major strength.

LRTK is designed to be easy to operate even for first-time users. The app displays Japanese-language menus and intuitive guidance for each measurement mode, so those who are not comfortable with machinery can still use it with confidence. If users are unsure on site, they can upload data to the cloud for remote review and advice from distant supervisors or technicians, providing a solid support framework.

If you are looking for a “simple transported soil volume management tool that can be used on site,” simple surveying with LRTK is a promising option. Smartphone surveying that leverages the latest technology can greatly contribute to productivity improvement and labor savings in earthworks. If interested, please also check the [LRTK official site](https://www.lefixea.com/lrtk).

FAQ

Q: What exactly is a transported soil volume management tool? A: One example is a system that attaches a small high-precision GPS receiver to a smartphone and performs soil volume measurement with a dedicated app. It dramatically improves smartphone positioning accuracy and automatically calculates volume from 3D data acquired by the camera or LiDAR. In short, it turns a smartphone into a precision surveying instrument. The term “transported soil volume management tool” refers broadly to such digital tools.

Q: Can people without surveying expertise use it? A: Yes. They are designed so that basic operations allow use without specialized knowledge. By following on-screen prompts and tapping buttons, measurements can be completed, so even those with limited experience need not worry. Complex settings and calculations are handled automatically by the tool, and users only need to review the results. It is intuitive enough to start using without lengthy prior training.

Q: What level of measurement accuracy is ensured? A: By using GNSS RTK methods, under ideal conditions horizontal positions of about ±2–3 cm can be expected, and vertical accuracy is also on the order of several centimeters. In practice, soil volumes can be understood within a centimeter-level error range (half-inch accuracy), allowing measurements comparable to conventional surveying instruments. However, accuracy can be affected by satellite reception conditions and surrounding environments, so caution is necessary.

Q: What advantages does it have over drone surveying? A: Smartphone-integrated tools are easier to use and allow anyone on site to measure immediately, which is a major advantage over drones. They do not require flight permissions, are less affected by weather, and can be operated daily even on small sites. Above all, results are available in real time and can be immediately reflected in construction. For very large surveys spanning hundreds of thousands of square meters, drones may still be more efficient, so it is best to choose based on the use case.

Q: How are measurement data stored and shared? A: Measurement data are saved on the smartphone and can also be uploaded to the cloud as needed. Data stored in the cloud can be accessed from office PCs via the internet to view 3D point clouds and volume figures, or shared with stakeholders using shared links. Data can be exported as 3D models or CSV files, making them useful for internal reporting and further analysis in other design software.