windshield survey

[ wind-sheeld sur-vey, win- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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: Compare walking survey ( def ).
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.

First recorded in 1970–75

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