Level 2
Level 2
At Level 2, conventional trackside signals can be dispensed with. The trackside signals at this level exist only virtually and are displayed in advance on monitors in the driver's cab. Rather than to a balise, the signal box sends the information as to whether or not a train is allowed to enter the next block to the ETCS Radio Block Centre. This centre translates the information into a radio telegram and sends it to the train, which receives it via its Radio Transmission Module (RTM). If the train is not allowed to continue, the onboard ETCS unit calculates how early the train driver must apply the brakes in order to come to a stop in time. The device receives this information from the odometer in the traction unit. If necessary, the ETCS unit can also initiate braking itself, and in the future, it will even be able to drive the train automatically.
