Traffic lights, an unnecessarily bad design
Are you anxious driving towards a green light that it might turn red soon?
It might be green now. But will I make it onto the crossing in time?
from Pexels by JESHOOTS.com under Pexel’s licenseWhen I am approaching a traffic light that is currently green, I feel nervous because it might turn red at any moment and I’d suddenly have to stop.
Similarly, when sitting—or standing—at a red light I get impatient because I need to keep watching the light but nothing happens for quite a while.
How to fix it
Indicate the remaining time for the current phase. Either use a seconds countdown next to the light, or some other more approximate indicator like a circle that drains similar to a clock’s handles.
Then not only can drivers easily judge whether they can make it across a green light without a forceful break, pedestrians know they can answer this text while waiting for a green light.