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I think traffic lights are ripe for disruption.

You would think. However, even the current UK systems are nowhere near optimal. Crossings that block traffic for too long; Cycle crossings that stop for longer than pedestrian crossings; Lights that are at red even when there are no other cars. If councils are not motivated to optimize the current systems, they are unlikely to be interested in anything new and disruptive? There is also the pain of taking any new ideas through the approvals system, which I can only guess is both not easy and will be gamed by the larger companies.

Outside my house is a crossing that waits until a gap appears in traffic before letting the pedestrian cross. Usually, by the time this happens I have already crossed the road (because a gap has appeared!).

Optimising "traffic flow" only seems to cause an obstruction for local pedestrians and cyclists. The only real purpose of a crossing is to restrict pedestrians so that excessive vehicle traffic can be accomadated. They should either prioritise pedestrians or reduce traffic.

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