Current Status and Background of RTK Adoption in Europe

In Europe, RTK positioning in the construction sector has already reached a stage where it is routinely used on many job sites. This widespread adoption is supported by two key factors: the advancement of construction digital transformation (DX) across Europe, and the well-established GNSS reference station networks in various countries. For example, countries such as Germany, France, and the UK have extensive national or private networks of GNSS reference stations (fixed stations) that provide real-time correction data over wide areas. As a result, surveyors and heavy machinery operators can achieve centimeter-level positioning accuracy via the internet without needing to set up their own base stations.

The presence of these wide-area GNSS networks forms the foundation for the widespread adoption of RTK in Europe. Additionally, the growing deployment of Galileo, the European Union’s own satellite GNSS system, alongside GPS and GLONASS, has created a robust multi-GNSS environment. This enhanced stability in RTK positioning has further accelerated its adoption across the region.

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Furthermore, the widespread adoption of RTK in Europe is also driven by a growing labor shortage and the need to improve productivity. By introducing advanced positioning technologies on-site, tasks such as surveying and construction management can be carried out efficiently even with a smaller workforce. For example, batter boards that previously required multiple personnel using a total station can now be replaced with machine control using RTK-GNSS-equipped machinery—achieving both labor savings and improved accuracy. As a result, RTK has become such a critical infrastructure technology in European construction that many projects are considered unmanageable without it.

In the context of construction DX in Europe, the automation of as-built management and progress measurement using RTK is also gaining attention. Without the need for surveyors to constantly move around the site, it is now possible to acquire as-built data in real time, upload it to the cloud, and compare it with design data to check quality. This ability to enable real-time construction management is one of the major advantages driving the widespread adoption of RTK.

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RTK Utilization Cases in Major Countries (Germany, France, the UK, etc.)
Let’s take a look at how RTK is being actively utilized in leading European countries. In Germany, France, the UK, and other nations, each country has established its own reference station networks and services, enabling the use of RTK across a wide variety of construction sites.

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Case Study: Germany
In Germany, a national geodetic network called "SAPOS" is in operation, providing an extensive network of electronic reference points. Surveying authorities in each federal state coordinate to maintain over 300 GNSS reference stations, allowing RTK correction data to be accessed nationwide. In construction sites such as roadworks and dam projects, GNSS machine guidance was adopted early on. For example, it has become common practice to equip bulldozers and graders with RTK-GPS receivers and automate grading by linking them to 3D design models. In one case involving the German Federal Motorway Company, RTK positioning was used for compaction work on roadbeds to manage layer thickness, resulting in more consistent construction quality and more efficient inspections. Academically, institutions such as technical universities in Germany are actively engaged in refining RTK algorithms and researching new applications.

In Germany, trials of ICT-based construction began as early as the 1990s, but under the initial standards, the use of RTK-GPS was not mandatory. Nevertheless, RTK adoption advanced under private-sector leadership, largely due to the presence of European branches of surveying equipment manufacturers such as Leica and Topcon, which actively promoted devices tailored to local needs. Today, construction management using RTK is becoming a part of standard practices in Germany, with both public and private sectors benefiting from high-precision positioning.

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Case Study: France
In France, RTK positioning is also widely used in surveying and construction industries. The National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information (IGN) operates a nationwide GNSS network called “RGP,” which provides real-time data from over 100 reference stations. In the private sector, the Orphéon network is a leading example, offering nationwide RTK services through Geodata Diffusion, a subsidiary of Hexagon. As part of a broader European network, Orphéon is notable not only for its coverage across France but also for its ability to operate across borders in neighboring countries.

One example from a construction site in France involves the major construction company VINCI, which has introduced RTK-GNSS technology in highway construction projects to automate road surface elevation management. Previously performed manually, height measurements are now continuously monitored and adjusted using RTK systems installed on motor graders, reportedly improving construction speed by approximately 20%. Additionally, in a redevelopment project within Paris, RTK-equipped ground-penetrating radar is being used to efficiently locate underground utilities through 3D mapping.
France is known for its strict national licensing system for surveyors, and these certified professionals are actively leveraging RTK technology to conduct highly precise surveying and management of urban infrastructure—offering a valuable model for Japan to learn from.

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Case Study: The United Kingdom
In the UK, a public-private RTK service framework has also been established. OS Net, operated by Ordnance Survey, is a national RTK network composed of over 115 permanent GNSS reference stations. High-performance receivers from Septentrio have been installed across this network, providing real-time correction data for surveyors, construction engineers, and users in precision agriculture. Thanks to the development of OS Net, centimeter-level positioning is now achievable anywhere in the UK, as long as there is an internet connection.

One practical example of RTK application in the UK is its use in railway infrastructure maintenance. Network Rail has introduced RTK-enabled trolleys (track measurement carts) for routine inspections of railway lines, allowing for high-precision monitoring of track distortion and positional shifts. Compared to traditional optical surveying, this approach significantly reduces working time while maintaining millimeter-level detection accuracy.

In the building sector, RTK drone surveying is being utilized on high-rise construction sites in London. RTK-GNSS receivers mounted on drones capture point cloud data, which is then compared with the project's BIM (Building Information Modeling) model to support progress tracking and as-built inspections. The UK has a strong government-led push for BIM and digital initiatives, and within that framework, RTK has become an essential technology in digital construction.

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Comparison of RTK Technology and Utilization Between Europe and Japan
How does Japan's current situation compare to the RTK revolution taking place in Europe? When we examine the technical infrastructure and the extent of adoption, we find both similarities and key differences.

First, in terms of technical infrastructure, both regions have established strong foundations to support high-precision positioning. In Japan, the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan operates a GNSS continuous observation network called “GEONET,” which includes approximately 1,300 Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) installed across the country.

GEONET is one of the world’s most densely distributed geodetic networks, and its positioning data is available in real time via Ntrip, enabling RTK positioning throughout Japan. On the other hand, as mentioned earlier, Europe also has nationwide CORS networks in each country, which have evolved into wide-area services that can be used across national borders.

For example, in Europe, private companies such as Hexagon and Trimble operate large-scale RTK networks that span multiple countries, allowing users to access correction services in several countries under a single subscription. In this regard, Japan’s networks—such as GEONET and privately operated reference stations—are self-contained within a single country, while Europe benefits from multinational collaboration, highlighting a difference in scale and coverage.

Next, when comparing the use of positioning satellites, Europe and Japan each have their own regionally enhanced satellite systems—Europe with Galileo and Japan with the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), also known as "Michibiki." Galileo operates a large number of satellites over Europe, enabling positioning from multiple frequencies and angles when combined with GPS and GLONASS.

Japan’s QZSS, while having fewer satellites, maintains at least one satellite near the zenith over Japan at all times, making it particularly effective in supplementing positioning in mountainous areas and urban canyons. Japan has also launched its own centimeter-level augmentation service (CLAS) using QZSS, establishing a system that allows direct reception of high-precision correction data from satellites.

Meanwhile, in Europe, Galileo began trialing a new High Accuracy Service (HAS) in 2023, which may be used alongside RTK in the future. In this way, both Japan and Europe are building systems that integrate multi-GNSS with satellite-based augmentation, reflecting a shared technological trajectory.

There are also differences in service providers and usage environments. In Japan, alongside the Geospatial Information Authority's GEONET, RTK services provided by private telecom carriers are thriving. For example, SoftBank’s “ichimill” is an RTK service that distributes correction data from over 3,300 privately installed reference stations, reducing GPS positioning errors to approximately 5 cm.

By utilizing mobile phone base stations to densely deploy reference points, the system allows for uninterrupted correction data reception even while moving—one of its key advantages.

Other carriers in Japan, such as NTT Docomo and KDDI, also offer their own high-precision positioning services, making Japan’s RTK service market—driven largely by private companies—more competitive than that of Europe.

In contrast, in Europe, correction services are mainly operated by surveying equipment manufacturers such as Hexagon/Leica and Trimble, and it is less common for telecom carriers to take the lead. Infrastructure is typically built through collaboration between national agencies, surveying institutions, and equipment manufacturers, with users—such as construction firms and surveying offices—contracting directly with these service providers.

In terms of usage environments, more Japanese construction sites are adopting simple RTK solutions on tablets or onboard computers. Meanwhile, in Europe, there is still a strong tradition of using high-performance, dedicated equipment, reflecting a difference in field technician literacy and workflow preferences between the two regions.

Overall, in terms of maturity of adoption, Europe has historically been a step ahead. Since the early 2000s, machine guidance technology has been spreading across various European countries, and reports from over a decade ago already noted that systems had been installed on more than 1,000 pieces of heavy machinery.

In Japan, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism launched the "i-Construction" initiative in 2016 to promote ICT-based earthworks, which led to a rapid catch-up in adoption. However, in terms of penetration among small and mid-sized regional construction companies, there are still lessons to be learned from Europe. That said, in recent years, Japan has seen a rapid expansion in RTK usage, especially in conjunction with drone surveying and the promotion of BIM/CIM. As a result, Japan’s technical level is now approaching parity with that of Europe.

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Insights for the Japanese Construction Industry from European RTK Technology
The experience gained from RTK utilization in Europe offers valuable lessons for the Japanese construction industry. To conclude, here are several key takeaways from European case studies that Japan can learn from.

• Infrastructure Development Through Public-Private Collaboration: In Europe, surveying authorities and private companies have worked together to build wide-area RTK infrastructure. Japan can further enhance the stability and reach of correction services nationwide by promoting data sharing and mutual support between GEONET (operated by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan) and private reference station networks. It is crucial to leverage the strengths of both government-led and private-sector initiatives.

• Enhancing Field Operator Literacy: In many European construction sites, heavy machinery operators themselves handle the operation and adjustment of RTK systems. As Japan continues to advance ICT construction, it must strengthen education in positioning technologies for field engineers and foster digital talent who don’t rely solely on automated equipment. Greater understanding of the technology at the field level can lead to new usage ideas and improved efficiency.

• Support for Adoption by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): In Europe, affordable RTK equipment—such as simple GNSS rovers and smartphone-compatible devices—has gained popularity even among small contractors. Similarly in Japan, offering low-cost equipment and service plans suitable for SMEs in civil engineering and construction will be key to broadening adoption. Lowering cost barriers and providing clear information and support on how to use the technology will be effective measures.

• Integration with Emerging Technologies: In Europe, RTK is increasingly being integrated with machine control, AR, and IoT sensors. Japan should also aim to go beyond using RTK in isolation, and combine it with 3D machine guidance, automated construction machinery control, and even MR (Mixed Reality) for as-built inspections—pursuing optimization of smart construction as a whole. RTK serves as one component, but its true value emerges when fused with other technologies.

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With these points in mind, it is essential for Japan to develop its own RTK utilization strategy that addresses domestic challenges—such as mountainous terrain and dense high-rise urban environments—while learning from Europe’s advanced case studies. Fortunately, Japan possesses unique strengths, including the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System and one of the world’s most advanced geodetic networks. By fully leveraging these assets and incorporating best practices from Europe, Japan’s construction DX can advance to even greater heights.

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RTK Utilization with LRTK
As we've seen through comparisons with leading European case studies, mastering RTK positioning on-site is becoming increasingly important. That said, some may feel that implementing such technology within their own company presents a high barrier. That’s why we would like to introduce our solution, LRTK, as a practical and accessible option.

LRTK is an RTK positioning system developed to meet the specific needs of construction sites in Japan, offering an optimal solution that incorporates many insights and advanced technologies learned from Europe.

The key advantage of LRTK is its simplicity and ease of implementation. By bringing the compact, lightweight LRTK device to the site, powering it on, and connecting it via Bluetooth to a smartphone or tablet, users can instantly achieve centimeter-level positioning. No complex setup is required—high-precision location data can be obtained with a single tap in the dedicated app, which connects to the Geospatial Information Authority’s reference stations or private correction services. Inspired by the “easy-to-use positioning devices” refined on European job sites, LRTK features an intuitive interface and a rugged design that is dustproof, waterproof, and shock-resistant.

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LRTK also supports multi-GNSS, allowing simultaneous connection to GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS (Michibiki), enabling rapid and stable FIX (integer) solutions even in urban environments. It incorporates the latest European-developed algorithms, significantly reducing initialization time for positioning even in challenging conditions such as urban canyons or mountainous areas. This ensures smooth and reliable high-precision positioning in environments where conventional devices may struggle.

LRTK is versatile and can be used not only for surveying tasks but also for real-time location tracking during heavy machinery operation and integration with AR-based construction management applications. Customers who have adopted LRTK report benefits such as “a 50% reduction in total station work” and “real-time as-built inspection that has improved quality control.”

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The wave of the RTK revolution that began in Europe is undoubtedly reaching Japan. We invite you to experience the cutting-edge power of high-precision positioning and leverage it to drive digital transformation within your organization. We are fully committed to supporting your RTK adoption on-site. If you have any inquiries or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Let’s build the future of construction together.