Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution

What We Do

The Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution works with organizations and individuals to increase the knowledge, quality, and use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). The Center serves as an information resource to both DOT ADR providers and users. ADR is designed to assist parties in resolving differences. These processes involve a third party neutral and are typically voluntary. ADR does not replace more traditional dispute resolution mechanisms but merely offers an alternative. If an ADR process does not resolve a conflict, you retain all rights to pursue more traditional approaches.

The Center offers awareness and skill-based training workshops on a variety of topics. 

Other Responsibilities

The Center also provides mediation, facilitation and conflict coaching services to help you resolve disputes efficiently and effectively and works with you to understand and use ADR processes. We also help you identify ADR providers outside the agency.

The Center develops ADR policy within DOT and helps organizations design, implement, and evaluate specific ADR approaches to meet their needs.

Finally, the Center monitors and maintains awareness of legal and policy developments involving the use of ADR by the Department's secretarial offices and operating administrations in all areas including workplace issues, formal and informal adjudication, issuance of regulations, enforcement and compliance, issuing and revoking licenses and permits, contract and grant award and administration, litigation brought by or against the Department, and other interactions with the public and the regulated community. Additionally, the Center coordinates with the Assistant General Counsel for Regulation and Enforcement for ADR policy regarding the Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1996.