WESTFIELD, Ind. — The Center for Advanced Product Evaluation (CAPE) has been named 2011 Crash Test Facility of the Year by Automotive Testing Technology International magazine.

CAPE is an independent crash and structural test facility, and it is a division of IMMI, which designs and manufactures safety systems. Officials said the center was selected for its development of safety systems for commercial vehicles, its continued investment in supporting testing equipment and its role in helping IMMI bring its RollTek rollover accident injury mitigation system to North American fire apparatus OEMs.

“We selected CAPE as the Crash Test Facility of the Year because of its deep commitment to advancements in vehicle safety,” said Adam Gavine, editor of Automotive Testing Technology International. “A $3.5 million expansion project, a consolidation of all test services into one dedicated 49,000-square foot facility and an investment in a new Seattle Safety acceleration sled all convinced the panel of CAPE’s impressive ability to develop occupant protection equipment for industries ranging from commercial vehicles to motorsports.”

The annual testing awards recognize the achievements of companies and individuals who have improved the reliability, quality and usability of vehicles through automotive testing and development.

A panel of judges — consisting of seven senior figures with extensive experience within the automotive testing industry — selects the winners in seven award categories, including CAE Innovation of the Year, Hardware Innovation of the Year, Crash Test Facility of the Year, Engine Test Facility of the Year, Proving Ground of the Year, Person of the Year and Company of the Year.

For more information on CAPE, visit www.capetesting.com. For more information on IMMI, visit www.imminet.com.