Jonathan Dobres

Publications

Journal Articles

• Readability Research: An Interdisciplinary Approach PDF DOI

  Beier, S., Berlow, S., Boucaud, E., Bylinskii, Z., Cai, T., Cohn, J., Crowley, K., Day, S., Dingler, T., Dobres, J., Healey, J., Jain, R., Jordan, M., Kerr, B., Li, Q., Miller, D., Nobles, S., Papoutsaki, A., Qian, J., Rezvanian, T., Rodrigo, S., Sawyer, B., Sheppard, S., Stein, B., Treitman, R., Vanek, J., Wallace, S., & Wolfe, B. (2022). Foundations and Trends in Human–Computer Interaction. 16(4), 214-324

• Towards Individuated Reading Experiences: Different Fonts Increase Reading Speed for Different Individuals PDF DOI

  Wallace, S., Bylinskii, Z., Dobres, J., Kerr, B., Berlow, S., Treitman, R., Kumawat, N., Arpin, K., Miller, D., Huang, J., & Sawyer, B. (2022). ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction. 29(4), 1-56

• Patterns in transitions of visual attention during baseline driving and during interaction with visual–manual and voice-based interfaces PDF DOI

  Reimer, B., Mehler, B., Muñoz, M., Dobres, J., Kidd, D., & Reagan, I. (2021). Ergonomics. 64(11), 1429-1451

• Glanceable, legible typography over complex backgrounds PDF DOI

  Sawyer, B., Wolfe, B., Dobres, J., Chahine, N., Mehler, B., & Reimer, B. (2020). Ergonomics. 63(7), 864-883

• The great typography bake-off: comparing legibility at-a-glance PDF DOI

  Sawyer, B., Dobres, J., Chahine, N., & Reimer, B. (2020). Ergonomics. 63(4), 391-398

• The effects of age, interface modality, and system design on drivers’ attentional demand when making phone calls while driving on a limited-access highway PDF DOI

  Reagan, I. J., Kidd, D. G., Dobres, J., Mehler, B., & Reimer, B. (2019). Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour. 60, 536-548

• The relative impact of smartwatch and smartphone use while driving on workload, attention, and driving performance PDF DOI

  Perlman, D., Samost, A., Domel, A., Mehler, B., Dobres, J., & Reimer, B. (2018). Applied Ergonomics. 75, 8-16

• Changes in driver glance behavior when using a system that automates steering to perform a low-speed parallel parking maneuver PDF DOI

  Kidd, D. G., Reimer, B., Dobres, J., & Mehler, B. (2018). Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour. 58, 629-639

• The effects of visual crowding, text size, and positional uncertainty on text legibility at a glance PDF DOI

  Dobres, J., Wolfe, B., Chahine, N., & Reimer, B. (2018). Applied Ergonomics. 70, 240-246

• More than the Useful Field: Considering peripheral vision in driving PDF DOI

  Wolfe, B., Dobres, J., Rosenholtz, R., & Reimer, B. (2017). Applied Ergonomics. 65, 316-325

• Considering visual-manual tasks performed during highway driving in the context of two different sets of guidelines for embedded in-vehicle electronic systems PDF DOI

  Kidd, D. G., Dobres, J., Reagan, I., Mehler, B., & Reimer, B. (2017). Transportation Research Part F: Psychology and Behaviour. 47, 23-33

• Empirical Assessment of the Legibility of the Highway Gothic and Clearview Signage Fonts PDF DOI

  Dobres, J., Chrysler, S. T., Wolfe, B., Chahine, N., & Reimer, B. (2017). Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board. 2624, 1-8

  Recipient of the 2016 Traffic Control Devices Committee Best Paper Award & 2017 Young First Author Award, Operations Section.

• Effects of ambient illumination, contrast polarity, and letter size on text legibility under glance-like reading PDF DOI

  Dobres, J., Chahine, N., & Reimer, B. (2017). Applied Ergonomics. 60, 68-73

• Age-related differences in the legibility of degraded text PDF DOI

  Wolfe, B., Dobres, J., Kosovicheva, A., Rosenholtz, R., & Reimer, B. (2016). Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications. 1(22), 1-13

• Multi-Modal Demands of a Smartphone Used to Place Calls and Enter Addresses during Highway Driving Relative to Two Embedded Systems PDF DOI

  Reimer, B., Mehler, B., Reagan, I., Kidd, D., & Dobres, J. (2016). Ergonomics. 59(12), 1565-1585

• Utilising psychophysical techniques to investigate the effects of age, typeface design, size and display polarity on glance legibility PDF DOI

  Dobres, J., Chahine, N., Reimer, B., Gould, D., Mehler, B., & Coughlin, J. F. (2016). Ergonomics. 59(10), 1377-1391

• The effects of Chinese typeface design, stroke weight, and contrast polarity on glance based legibility PDF DOI

  Dobres, J., Chahine, N., Reimer, B., Gould, D., & Zhao, N. (2016). Displays. 41, 42-49

• Multi-modal assessment of on-road demand of voice and manual phone calling and voice navigation entry across two embedded vehicle systems PDF DOI

  Mehler, B., Kidd, D., Reimer, B., Reagan, I., Dobres, J., & McCartt, A. (2015). Ergonomics. 59(3), 344-367

• The sensitivity of different methodologies for characterizing drivers’ gaze concentration under increased cognitive demand PDF DOI

  Wang, Y., Reimer, B., Dobres, J., & Mehler, B. (2014). Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology & Behaviour. 26(Part A), 227-237

• Assessing the Impact of Typeface Design in a Text Rich Automotive User Interface PDF DOI

  Reimer, B., Mehler, B., Dobres, J., Coughlin, J. F., Matteson, S., Gould, D., Chahine, N., & Levantovsky, V. (2014). Ergonomics. 57(11), 1643-1658

• Response feedback triggers long-term consolidation of perceptual learning independently of performance gains PDF DOI

  Dobres, J. & Watanabe, T. (2012). Journal of Vision. 12(9), 1-10

• Perceptual learning of oriented gratings as revealed by classification images PDF DOI

  Dobres, J. & Seitz, A. (2010). Journal of Vision. 10(8), 1-11

Presentations

• Humanizing AI in Education: A Readability Comparison of LLM and Human-Created Educational Content PDF DOI

  Rashid, M. M., Atilgan, N., Dobres, J., Day, S., Penkova, V., Küçük, M., Clapp, S. R., & Sawyer, B. D. (2024). Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting. 68(1), 596-603

• Advancing Understanding of Typographic Effects on Reading Performance: Insights from Variable Fonts

  Atilgan, N., Rashid, M. M., Palmén, H., Dobres, J., Berlow, S., Küçük, M., & Sawyer, B. D. (2024). APS Global Psychological Summit.

• Typeface Matters: Psychophysical Insights into Readability Across Different Reading Tasks DOI

  Atilgan, M., Dobres, J., Rashid, M., Berlow, S., & Sawyer, B. (2024). Vision Science Society Annual Meeting. 24(1215)

• Light or Bold? Navigating Font Weights and Grades for Enhanced Readability DOI

  Rashid, M., Atilgan, N., Palmén, H., Dobres, J., Berlow, S., Küçük, M., & Sawyer, B. (2024). Vision Science Society Annual Meeting. 24(1032)

• Personalized Font Recommendations: Combining ML and Typographic Guidelines to Optimize Readability PDF DOI

  Cai, T., Wallace, S., Rezvanian, T., Dobres, J., Kerr, B., Berlow, S., Huang, J., Sawyer, B., & Bylinskii, Z. (2022). Designing Interactive Systems Conference (DIS ‘22). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY., 1-25

• Space for readability: effects on reading speed from individuated character and word spacing DOI

  Wallace, S., Dobres, J., Bylinskii, Z., & Sawyer, B. (2022). Vision Science Society Annual Meeting. 22(3349)

• Considering the speed and comprehension trade-off in reading mediated by typography PDF DOI

  Wallace, S., Dobres, J., & Sawyer, B. (2021). Vision Science Society Annual Meeting. 21(2249)

• These Labels are Nuts: Challenges to Safe Product Identification for Nut-Allergic Consumers PDF DOI

  Parikhal, L., Abraham, H., Mehler, A., McWilliams, T., Dobres, J., Chahine, N., & Reimer, B. (2018). Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting. 62(1), 987-991

• The cost of cool: Typographic style legibility in reading at a glance PDF DOI

  Sawyer, B., Dobres, J., Chahine, N., & Reimer, B. (2017). Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting. 61(1), 833-837

• The Effect of Font Weight and Rendering System on Glance-Based Text Legibility PDF DOI

  Dobres, J., Reimer, B., & Chahine, N. (2016). Proceedings of the 2016 International Conference on Automotive User Interfaces and Interactive Vehicular Applications, Ann Arbor, MI., 91-96

• Effects of a Voice Interface on Mirror Check Decrements in Older and Younger Multitasking Drivers PDF DOI

  Sawyer, B., Lee, J., Dobres, J., Mehler, B., Coughlin, J., & Reimer, B. (2016). Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting. 60(1), 16-20

• Spacing, spotlights, and spurs: Recent research on digital typography and related design factors

  Dobres, J. (2016). 3^rd International Conference on Automotive Cockpit HMI. Ann Arbor, MI.

  Invited Speaker

• The Influence of Driver’s Age on Glance Allocations during Single-Task Driving and Voice vs. Visual-Manual Radio Tuning PDF DOI

  Dobres, J., Reimer, B., Mehler, B., Foley, J., Ebe, K., Seppelt, B., & Angell, L. (2016). SAE 2016 World Congress and Exhibition. 2016-01-1445

  Award for Outstanding Oral Presentation

• Observed Differences in Lane Departure Warning Responses during Single-Task and Dual-Task Driving: A Secondary Analysis of Field Driving Data PDF DOI

  McWilliams, T., Brown, D., Reimer, B., Mehler, B., & Dobres, J. (2016). SAE 2016 World Congress and Exhibition. 2016-01-1425

• Additional Findings on the Multi-Modal Demands of ‘Voice-Command’ PDF DOI

  Mehler, B., Reimer, B., Dobres, J., Foley, J., & Ebe, K. (2016). SAE 2016 World Congress and Exhibition. 2016-01-1428

• An on-road study involving two vehicles: observed differences between an auditory and haptic lane departure warning system DOI

  Brown, D., Reimer, B., Mehler, B., & Dobres, J (2015). AutomotiveUI ‘15: Proceedings of the 7^th International Conference on Automotive User Interfaces and Interactive Vehicular Applications, Nottingham, UK.

• Effects of age and smartphone experience on driver behavior during address entry: Comparison between a Samsung Galaxy and an Apple iPhone DOI

  McWilliams, T., Reimer, B., Mehler, B., Dobres, J., & Coughlin, J. (2015). AutomotiveUI ‘15: Proceedings of the 7^th International Conference on Automotive User Interfaces and Interactive Vehicular Applications, Nottingham, UK., 150-153

• Comparing the relative impact of smartwatch and smartphone use while driving on workload, attention, and driving performance PDF DOI

  Samost, A., Perlman, D., Domel, A.G., Reimer, B., Mehler, B., Mehler, A., Dobres, J., & McWilliams, T. (2015). Proceedings of the 59^th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Los Angeles, CA. 59(1)

• The incredible shrinking letter: how font size affects the legibility of text viewed in brief glances

  Dobres, J., Reimer, B., Parikhal, L., Wean E. & Chahine, N (2015). 8^th International Driving Symposium on Human Factors in Driver Assessment, Training and Vehicle Design, Salt Lake City, UT., 429-435

• A secondary assessment of the impact of voice interface turn delays on driver attention and arousal in field conditions PDF DOI

  McWilliams, T., Reimer, B., Mehler, B., Dobres, J., & McAnulty, H. (2015). 8^th International Driving Symposium on Human Factors in Driver Assessment, Training and Vehicle Design, Salt Lake City, UT., 408-414

• Comparing the demands of destination entry between Google Glass and the Samsung Galaxy S4 PDF DOI

  Beckers, N., Schreiner, S., Bertrand, P., Reimer, B., Mehler, B., Munger D., & Dobres, J (2014). Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting. 58(1), 2156-2160

• A Pilot Study Measuring the Relative Legibility of Five Simplified Chinese Typefaces Using Psychophysical Methods DOI

  Dobres, J., Chahine, N., Reimer, B., Gould, D. & Mehler, B (2014). AutomotiveUI ‘14: Proceedings of the 6^th International Conference on Automotive User Interfaces and Interactive Vehicular Applications, Seattle, WA., 1-5

• Effects of an ‘Expert Mode’ Voice Command System on Task Performance, Glance Behavior & Driver Physiology DOI

  Reimer, B., Mehler, B., Dobres, J., McAnulty, H., Mehler, A., Munger, D. & Rumpold, A. (2014). AutomotiveUI ‘14: Proceedings of the 6^th International Conference on Automotive User Interfaces and Interactive Vehicular Applications, Seattle, WA., 1-9

• A Simulation Study Examining Smartphone Destination Entry while Driving PDF DOI

  Munger, D., Mehler, B., Reimer, B., Dobres, J., Pettinato, A., Pugh, B. & Coughlin, J (2014). AutomotiveUI ‘14: Proceedings of the 6^th International Conference on Automotive User Interfaces and Interactive Vehicular Applications, Seattle, WA., 1-5

• An art meets science: subtle typeface design characteristics affect word legibility in brief glances DOI

  Dobres, J., Chahine, N., Reimer, B., Gould, D., Mehler, B., Pugh, B., & Arredondo, S. (2014). Vision Science Society Annual Meeting. 14(184)

• A driving simulation study examining destination entry with iPhone iOS 5 Google Maps and a Garmin portable GPS system PDF DOI

  Dopart, C., Haggman, A., Thornberry, C., Mehler, B., Dobres J., & Reimer, B. (2013). Proceedings of the 57th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. 57(1), 1889-1893

• Assessing the impact of “brain training” on changes in driving performance, visual behavior, and neurophysiology PDF

  Dobres, J., Potter, A., Reimer, B., Mehler B., Mehler A. & Coughlin, J. (2013). Driving Assessment.

• Balancing the scales: How consumers manage information overload and online trust in the digital age

  Dobres, J. (2013). Older & Online: Engaging the Digital Life of the 45+ Consumer, an MIT AgeLab Member Event.

• A field study assessing driving performance, visual attention, heart rate and subjective ratings in response to different types of cognitive workload

  Yang, Y., Reimer, B., Mehler B. & Dobres, J. (2013). Driving Assessment.

• A new role of feedback: Feedback consolidates perceptual learning DOI

  Dobres, J & Watanabe, T. (2011). Vision Science Society Annual Meeting. 11(996)

• Feedback inhibits untrained motion directions in perceptual learning DOI

  Dobres, J & Watanabe, T. (2010). Vision Science Society Annual Meeting. 10(1125)

• Perceptual learning of oriented gratings as revealed by classification images DOI

  Dobres, J & Seitz, A. R. (2009). Vision Science Society Annual Meeting. 9(880)

White Papers

• TypeTester: A Case Study of Behavioral Data Collection Using a Smartphone Platform PDF

  Dobres, J., Klarl, K., Kindelsberger, J., & Reimer, B. (2018). MIT AgeLab Technical Report 2018-1 (December 6, 2018). Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA..

• Assessing the Demands of Voice Based In-Vehicle Interfaces - Phase II Experiment 4 – An Exploratory Study of Driver Behavior With and Without Assistive Cruise Control (ACC) (2015a) PDF

  Reimer, B., Mehler, B., Dobres, J., & Coughlin, J.F. (2015). MIT AgeLab Technical Report 2015-15 (December 10, 2015 Update), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.

• Assessing the Demands of Voice Based In-Vehicle Interfaces - Phase II Experiment 3 - 2015 Toyota Corolla (2015b) PDF

  Mehler, B., Reimer, B., Dobres, J., & Coughlin, J.F. (2015). MIT AgeLab Technical Report 2015-14 (November 28, 2015). Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.

• Assessing the Demands of Voice Based In-Vehicle Interfaces - Phase II Experiment 2 - 2014 Mercedes CLA (2014t) PDF

  Mehler, B., Reimer, B., McAnulty, H., Dobres, J., Lee, J. & Coughlin, J.F. (2015). MIT AgeLab Technical Report 2015-8 (November 28, 2015). Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.

• Assessing the Demands of Voice Based In-Vehicle Interfaces - Phase II Experiment 1 - 2014 Chevrolet Impala (2014b) PDF

  Mehler, B., Reimer, B., Dobres, J., McAnulty, H., & Coughlin, J.F. (2014). MIT AgeLab Technical Report 2015-6A (November 30, 2015). Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.

• Multi-Modal Demands of a Smartphone Used to Place Calls and Enter Addresses during Highway Driving Relative to Two Embedded Systems PDF

  Reimer, B., Mehler, B., Reagan, I., Kidd, D., & Dobres, J. (2015). Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

• Proposed system for the objective evaluation of the safety benefits of technologies and initial rating values PDF

  Mehler, B., Reimer, B., Lavallière, M., Dobres, J. & Coughlin, J.F. (2014). MIT AgeLab, Technical Report No. 2013-27c. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.

• Further Evaluation of the Effects of a Production Level ‘Voice-Command’ Interface on Driver Behavior: Replication and a Consideration of the Significance of Training Method PDF

  Mehler, B., Reimer, B., Dobres, J., McAnulty, H., Mehler, A., Munger, D. & Coughlin, J. (2014). Massachusetts Institute of Technology, AgeLab, Cambridge, MA.

• Revealing Differences in Legibility Between Typefaces Using Psychophysical Techniques: Implications for Glance Time and Cognitive Processing PDF

  Dobres, J., Chahine, N., Reimer, B., Mehler, B., & Coughlin, J. F. (2014). Massachusetts Institute of Technology, AgeLab, Cambridge, MA., 1-28

• An Exploratory Psychophysical Investigation of the Relative Glance Legibility of Chinese Typefaces

  Dobres, J., Chahine, N., Reimer, B., & Mehler, B. (2014). Massachusetts Institute of Technology, AgeLab, Cambridge, MA., 1-15

• Assessing the Legibility of Four Sans-Serif Typefaces Under Glance-Like Reading Conditions

  Dobres, J. & Reimer, B. (2014). Massachusetts Institute of Technology, AgeLab, Cambridge, MA., 1-8

• The Effects of a Production Level “Voice-Command” Interface on Driver Behavior: Reported Workload, Physiology, Visual Attention, and Driving Performance PDF

  Reimer B., Mehler B., Dobres J., & Coughlin, J. (2013). Massachusetts Institute of Technology, AgeLab, Cambridge, MA.

• A Scale for Rating In-Vehicle Technologies Based on Factors of Safety, Comfort, and Convenience.

  Dobres, J., Reimer, B., Mehler, B., & Coughlin, J. (2012). Massachusetts Institute of Technology, AgeLab, Cambridge, MA.

• Scaling the Mountain: How Consumers Use Rating Scales in Purchase Decisions

  Dobres, J., Reimer, B., Mehler, B., & Coughlin, J. (2012). Massachusetts Institute of Technology, AgeLab, Cambridge, MA.

• An Evaluation of the Visual Demands of Portable Telematics Technologies among Young Adult Drivers PDF

  Mehler, B., Reimer, B. & Dobres, J. (2012). Massachusetts Institute of Technology, AgeLab, Cambridge, MA.

Popular Press Articles

• Seeing Voices PDF

  Dobres, J., Reimer, B., & Mehler, B. (2014). Vision Zero International. Jun 2014. UKIP Media & Events LTD, Dorking, Surrey, United Kingdom., 16-20

• Disruption in the Drivers Seat: How Technological Advancements are Changing What We Do in the Car and on the Road PDF

  Dobres, J., Belyusar, D., & Reimer, B. (2013). U.S. Department of Transportation Spotlight, Sep 2013. U.S. Department of Transportation.

• Knowledge of All Fonts PDF

  Dobres, J., Mehler B., & Reimer, B. (2013). Vision Zero International. Jan 2013. UKIP Media & Events LTD, Dorking, Surrey, United Kingdom.