A countdown timer, like the one pictured here, could have a ‘double edge sword’ effect: motorists could anticipate when the light will turn green and shut off their engines (energy savings) or it could lead to some serious drag racing on local streets, something cops have long tried to combat (ask Hulk Hogan’s son). I personally like the European approach which is to display the yellow signal (i.e. caution) with the red light which indicates when the the light is about to turn green.
