On this subject, when I was on vacation in the states late last year, I found myself at a junction where the traffic lights refused to work, and the next nearest crossing was 30 mins on foot.
I stood and watching the traffic signals, including two filter lanes, for about 5 minutes before working out the pattern and running for it at the appropriate moment.
I immediately coined the moment Rush Hour "North Bagley", being so tired at that point I thought the cars and lights were like danmaku.