A few more points: What I may not have made clear is that the Netherlands scenario that I used as an example is from a main line (usually double track) that has both local and express passenger service as well as through freight trains. For through trains, the dispatcher simply lines up a through route, with the signal going green (as long as there isn't a train in the blocks ahead) and the grade crossing works as normal. If a train is detected as approaching, the crossing activates. On legacy lines, the Netherlands Railways run passenger trains at speeds up to 140 km/h and freight trains at 100 km/h (about 60 mph). As noted, speeds above 140 km/h are found only on new or upgraded lines with ETCS level 2, and do not have grade crossings at all.