windshield survey

American  

[wind-sheeld sur-vey, win-] / ˈwɪndˌʃild ˌsɜr veɪ, ˈwɪn- /

noun

1. an assessment of something in a community, such as housing, infrastructure, or proximity to hospitals, that is made quickly by driving through the assessment area.

   A windshield survey can be done relatively easily and inexpensively, but can’t capture much detail.

   The advocacy group did a windshield survey of the city to determine how many unhoused people were sleeping on the streets.

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Etymology

Origin of windshield survey

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

We’ll be doing windshield surveys of all the damage, because we’ve got to report that to FEMA, so that the federal government can determine how much emergency funds Wilmington will get.

From The New Yorker

Most local officials have not done anything more than “windshield surveys,” as Victoria Mayor Paul Polasek described driving around to look at some damage from the street.

From Washington Times

The Transportation Department’s street assessment unit has six inspectors who document road imperfections by conducting a “windshield survey” from their cars.

From New York Times