For this situation, and similar ones, there are simple solutions. For example, in this situation, the timer should always be running (and resets when the light changes). When a car triggers the sensor, the light should change if the timer is > N. If the timer is not there yet, wait until timer is N.
No AI required, just basic thoughtfulness and requirements gathering.
The trouble with the street sensors is that your car has to come to a stop before it is detected. Stopping and starting cars consumes a great deal of gasoline.
Contrast it with the flow achieved when there's a traffic cop managing an intersection. It's an enormous improvement.
No AI required, just basic thoughtfulness and requirements gathering.