Final answer:
The perceptual process that Ben Perez engages when he first sees the road crew is 'attention'. This initial focus paves the way for later stages such as comprehension and interpretation.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Ben Perez first sees the road crew working on a fallen tree that has blocked the highway, the perceptual process that has been engaged is attention. Attention is a crucial factor that affects both sensation and perception; it determines what is sensed versus what is perceived. The act of noticing the road crew means that Ben has directed his focus away from other potential sensory information to concentrate on the specific environmental stimulus of the road crew and the obstruction.
Attention facilitates the initial awareness of the presence of the road crew before any further comprehension or interpretation can take place. Only after recognizing the road crew through attention can one comprehend what the situation is about or interpret the implications for travel time, safety, or alternative routes.