In Australia there is a combination of fixed and 'adaptive' traffic signal controllers being used. I have been told by traffic engineers about this before but have never tried it myself.
I wonder if you can also get out of the car and press the pedestrian button to help speed up the change in the traffic signal...
I have always thought that myself when at a traffic light. The only problem is if the lights you're waiting at turn green and you're not back in your car by then!