How RTK Positioning Works and How It Differs from Traditional Surveying
RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) positioning is a technique in which a base station, placed at a known location, and a moving rover station simultaneously observe GNSS satellite signals. The base station sends correction data to the rover, allowing it to correct positioning errors in real time.

While standard GPS or standalone GNSS positioning typically has errors of several meters, RTK can reduce these errors to just a few centimeters. Because centimeter-level accuracy can be achieved in real time, RTK is widely used across various fields such as surveying, construction, and agriculture.

The main differences between RTK and traditional surveying lie in positioning accuracy and the work process. Traditional surveying instruments such as total stations and levels require the installation of ground control points and clear lines of sight between them, often involving multiple personnel.

In traverse (or polygonal) surveying, which involves sequentially measuring distances and angles between points to determine spatial relationships, skilled surveyors must make manual adjustments—making the process labor-intensive, time-consuming, and highly dependent on individual expertise.

In contrast, RTK positioning uses global coordinate data received from satellites, eliminating the need for line-of-sight between reference points and allowing a single operator to conduct surveys independently.

Moreover, once a base station is set up, the rover can instantly obtain high-precision absolute coordinates from virtually any location, significantly reducing the effort required to establish local reference lines or perform angle calculations at each site. RTK can be described as a “best of both worlds” technology, combining the ease of standalone GPS with the precision of instruments like total stations or optical rangefinders.

While standalone GPS—such as that found in smartphones or car navigation systems—typically has an accuracy of about 5 to 20 meters, RTK can reduce this error to just a few centimeters by applying corrections from the base station.

Compared to conventional high-precision local surveying methods such as total stations, RTK offers the additional advantage of directly obtaining global positioning coordinates.

For example, when marking layout lines (staking out) on a construction site based on a building’s design coordinates, RTK allows you to reproduce those absolute design coordinates directly on-site. This makes it possible to improve construction accuracy, especially when combined with AR technology, as discussed later.

In other words, with the introduction of RTK, anyone can achieve centimeter-level positioning “anywhere, anytime, in a short time,” fundamentally transforming the way surveying is conducted.
 

How Surveying Operations and Accuracy Change Before and After RTK Implementation
Introducing RTK brings significant changes to traditional surveying workflows and precision management. In this section, we’ll explain specifically what changes occur “before” and “after” RTK adoption, focusing on the reduction in work time, improvement in survey accuracy, and the increased efficiency and safety of layout (staking) tasks.

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Work Time Reduction
One of the greatest benefits of introducing RTK is the significant reduction in on-site work time. Traditionally, setting up control points could take a survey team of two or more people half a day. However, with the use of RTK-enabled drones, much of that setup process can be eliminated. In some cases, just the preparation time alone was reduced by more than two hours.

In a case study conducted by a surveying company, it was demonstrated that by using network-based RTK, they were able to achieve surveying that requires no line of sight, takes only about 10 seconds per point, and can be done by a single person. Compared to traditional methods using total stations, this represents a dramatic improvement in efficiency.

With RTK, once the base station is set up, the rover (GNSS receiver) can be carried on foot to continuously observe survey points. This eliminates the need for multiple operators to reposition equipment repeatedly, resulting in a significant reduction in total work time.

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To give a concrete example, when conducting a topographic survey of 50 points, the conventional method—using a two-person team to move a tripod and prism—would typically take about half a day. However, with RTK, a single person can carry out continuous observations and often complete the task within just a few hours.

While results may vary depending on site conditions—such as the presence of obstructions or GNSS reception quality—there are many reported cases where the time required for surveying has been reduced to a fraction of the traditional duration, sometimes one-tenth or less.

This directly translates to reduced labor costs and shorter construction timelines, ultimately leading to a significant boost in overall project productivity.

Furthermore, because RTK positioning provides real-time coordinate data, the time from data collection to integration into drawings or models is also significantly reduced. Traditionally, field measurements had to be brought back to the office for calculations and drafting, but with RTK, data can be instantly shared to the cloud on-site, allowing for immediate checking and decisions on additional measurements.

In this way, the entire workflow is transformed after RTK implementation, reducing unnecessary delays and redundant tasks. As a result, construction managers and workers can access the survey information they need in a timely manner, contributing to overall workflow efficiency.

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Improved Survey Accuracy (Error Reduction and Precision Enhancement)
Another major benefit of introducing RTK is the dramatic improvement in survey accuracy. As mentioned earlier, standalone positioning typically results in errors of about 5 to 10 meters, whereas RTK enables highly accurate measurements within just a few centimeters.

This means that in infrastructure maintenance tasks, such as for roads and railways, displacement and subsidence can be monitored with centimeter-level precision. Additionally, accuracy management—once a task that required technicians with advanced surveying certifications—can now be handled more easily with the help of RTK equipment, making high-precision work more accessible.

For example, in one project, a comparison between RTK positioning and total station results showed that the differences in the obtained coordinates were within just a few millimeters both horizontally and vertically. This demonstrated that RTK can achieve accuracy comparable to traditional optical surveying methods (Note: in the table, the term “GPS measured values” refers to the RTK results, with deviations of only ± a few millimeters).

By reducing measurement errors in this way, the accuracy of as-built management improves, which in turn leads to higher construction quality and fewer rework requirements.

In addition to improving accuracy, RTK offers the advantage of enabling anyone to perform surveys with consistent precision. The measurement results are less likely to vary between experienced and novice users, helping to standardize surveying tasks that were once highly dependent on individual skill.

Furthermore, RTK-acquired data is tied to a global coordinate system (such as the World Geodetic System), making it easier to match with design data in later stages or to integrate datasets from multiple sites. For example, in 3D surveying using drone aerial photography, RTK can provide highly accurate point cloud models even with minimal use of ground control points (GCPs). This has led to impressive results in accuracy verification for aerial photogrammetry.

As demonstrated above, the introduction of RTK significantly improves surveying accuracy, greatly reducing the accumulation of errors and the risk of measurement mistakes. As a result, discrepancies between design drawings and the actual construction site can be minimized, enhancing the level of precision in as-built quality control.

Improved survey accuracy not only ensures quality but also plays a critical role in enhancing safety and reliability, making it an essential factor in modern construction practices.

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Reducing Labor and Improving Safety in Layout Work
Layout work (known as sumidashi in Japanese)—which involves marking positions and driving stakes—is an essential process for correctly placing structures on construction sites. Traditionally, it was a labor-intensive task requiring multiple people to manually measure dimensions from drawings using surveying instruments and chalk lines.

With the introduction of RTK, this process has been significantly transformed. From a labor-saving perspective, RTK allows a single person to both measure and mark layout points, greatly reducing manpower requirements. For example, using an RTK receiver attached to a smartphone, a site manager can directly check design coordinates on-site and mark the points accordingly.

This eliminates the need for traditional arrangements such as “calling in the survey team to handle layout,” enabling foremen and workers themselves to carry out the layout directly and efficiently.

Traditionally, layout work required two or more people using a transit and measuring tape, but now, as shown in the photo, it can be simplified with compact, easy-to-use equipment.

The benefits of RTK also extend to improved safety. Layout and stake-driving tasks often involve working in hazardous areas such as elevated positions or slopes. However, by combining RTK with digital technology, the need for personnel to enter dangerous zones can be greatly reduced.

For example, with the LRTK system, BIM/CIM design data can be displayed on-site using AR, allowing virtual stakes to be placed without physically driving them into the ground. This enables safe layout work even on steep slopes or unstable surfaces where people typically cannot approach, and even hard concrete surfaces can be virtually marked using AR without physical contact.

This kind of AR-based layout technology also offers the benefit of allowing all stakeholders to visualize and share the construction plan on-site in real time, helping to prevent rework caused by misunderstandings or miscommunication.

RTK also contributes to improved safety by reducing work time and minimizing on-site exposure. When surveying or layout work can be completed quickly, it lowers the physical burden of working under extreme conditions—such as intense heat or freezing cold—thereby reducing the risk of heatstroke or frostbite.

Additionally, the ability to perform tasks with fewer workers helps reduce the presence of survey crews on busy roads, decreasing the risk of third-party accidents. In fact, surveys conducted using RTK drones have reported that they enable safer, faster, and more accurate surveying compared to traditional methods.

In this way, RTK not only streamlines layout tasks but also significantly enhances overall site safety.

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Key Points for Maximizing the Benefits of RTK Implementation
To fully leverage the advantages of RTK technology, it's important to consider several key factors. Simply introducing the equipment is not enough—effective results require a comprehensive approach that includes on-site operations and environmental readiness. Below are the main points to keep in mind for maximizing the effectiveness of RTK implementation.

• Optimizing the Positioning Environment: Since RTK positioning relies on receiving signals from GNSS satellites, it's ideal for the work area to have as much open sky as possible. In locations such as between tall buildings or densely forested areas, satellite signals can be blocked, leading to reduced accuracy. To mitigate this, consider practical adjustments such as raising the rover receiver on a pole, temporarily clearing surrounding vegetation, or checking satellite reception conditions while positioning. Using receivers that support Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System “Michibiki” and its correction signal (CLAS), as well as multi-GNSS systems (including not only GPS but also GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou), can help shorten initialization time and maintain accuracy even when fewer satellites are visible. In particularly challenging environments—such as mountainous regions or near tunnel entrances—it's important to know when to temporarily switch from RTK to static surveying (long-duration observations with post-processing). Through flexible, situation-specific operation, you can ensure consistently stable RTK accuracy.

• Choosing the Appropriate RTK Method: There are two main RTK methods: using your own base station or relying on public/private network-based RTK services such as VRS (Virtual Reference Station). It's important to choose the most suitable method based on the size and location of the site. For large-scale surveys or when the reference point is far away, the VRS method enables wide-area coverage with fewer base stations and helps prevent accuracy degradation due to distance. On the other hand, in underground environments or areas with unstable base station communication, it's more reliable to set up a local base station and transmit correction data via radio. Additionally, with a receiver compatible with Michibiki’s CLAS, correction data can be received directly from satellites—even in areas without cellular signal coverage. Choose an RTK method that matches your company's surveying patterns and establish a system that ensures consistently stable correction data.

• Staff Training and Role Assignment: Simply introducing new RTK equipment or software is not enough to fully leverage its capabilities—training on-site personnel is equally crucial. It is ideal for the entire team to share an understanding of RTK principles, how to operate the equipment, and how to evaluate positioning results (e.g., interpreting FIX status), so that everyone can use RTK with confidence. Especially in the early stages, it's recommended to cross-check RTK results with those from traditional methods (like total stations or levels) to validate accuracy and help staff better understand the characteristics of RTK surveying. Additionally, clearly defining roles when operating RTK on-site is key to efficient workflow. For example, one person could be responsible for managing the base station and checking data, while others handle rover-based point measurement and marking. Maintaining a human-based cross-checking system alongside automation is also effective for ensuring quality—helping to prevent over-reliance on machines.

• Data Integration and DX Utilization: The introduction of RTK is not the goal—it's the starting point for promoting digital transformation (DX). Since RTK enables real-time acquisition of high-precision location data, it’s essential to establish systems that allow effective use of that data. Specifically, point cloud data and coordinates obtained via RTK should be shared instantly through the cloud and overlaid with design drawings or BIM/CIM models for on-site verification. With cloud services or dedicated apps, survey results can even be automatically plotted on a web map and shared within the team. Additionally, by linking RTK data with construction management software or as-built management systems, inspection and as-built verification can also be performed in real time. In the future, this may extend to integrating survey data with machine guidance systems to support automated construction workflows. Positioning RTK as a core DX tool and combining it with other ICT solutions is key to unlocking its full potential.

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By keeping the above points in mind and implementing RTK in a planned and strategic manner, you can expect a return that fully justifies the initial investment. In the next section, we will introduce LRTK, a solution that represents the optimal approach to RTK utilization.

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The Optimal Solution for Surveying DX with LRTK
As you consider ways to enhance efficiency and precision through RTK implementation, LRTK emerges as a highly promising solution.

We offer a free information package that provides detailed insights into our LRTK-based surveying DX solution, including real-world use cases. If you're interested in improving work efficiency and measurement accuracy through RTK, we encourage you to request the materials at your convenience.

The brochure includes detailed explanations on transitioning from total stations to RTK, applications in infrastructure inspections, and the technical mechanisms behind LRTK.

Digital transformation (DX) on the job site isn’t achieved overnight—but by incorporating powerful technologies like RTK, along with user-friendly solutions like LRTK, you can take a major step forward.

By improving the efficiency and accuracy of your surveying operations, you’ll be positioned ahead of the competition in driving smart construction practices. We strongly encourage you to consider adopting RTK and leveraging LRTK to support that transformation.

We’re here to fully support your efforts.
If you have any questions or would like more detailed information, please feel free to contact us or request materials using the form below. We hope you’ll experience the full benefits of surveying DX with RTK and that it contributes to greater efficiency and accuracy on your construction sites.