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

That’s a huge number that can’t be understood or appreciated from a windshield survey.

From Washington Times • Dec. 5, 2017