The positive changes brought by the GLS-2000 impressed Hiroaki Kenchi, the i-Construction project team leader in Saito Construction’s Civil Engineering Department. “We were able to do surveying before and after construction around three times faster compared to the conventional total stations,” Kenchi said. “We collected 3D point cloud data for the entire work site, so even when design changes happened, we were able to make changes easily and output figures instantaneously on the computer; we didn’t have to do cross section and profile leveling not at all. The benefits don’t stop at surveying; in designing as well, it is a major advantage to be able to use the laser scanner to take 3D measurements.”
This road improvement project took place during the winter, which in Hokkaido meant using the 3D laser scanner to do surveying in deep snow. Saito Construction persisted boldly through the challenging circumstances, repeating the process of carefully clearing snow away from finished surfaces, surveying and synthesizing data to survey the completed work.
The company also noted that creating 3D models to enable visualization of the work site facilitated communication with outside entities.
“Relevant officials were very pleased with how easy it was to understand the 3D models we used in meetings on the present state of the site and design and construction plans,” Kenchi said.

Abe offered bold words on the intentions of Saito Construction. “We will continue to investigate the characteristics and precision of various surveying equipment carefully and ICT-integrated construction machinery so that we can make full use of the right equipment in the right places,” Saito said. “We will lead the charge into i-Construction in Hokkaido by being a company that serves clients in all facets of construction, from 3D surveying and design data creation to ICT-integrated construction work and inspections.”