I have to disagree. In any major city in the world you're going to see traffic. It is a fact of life. Your claim that it indicates a problem with the light is simply an invalid justification, IMO. It is simply a lack of patience which is very common in our society. In an ideal world there would be no traffic issues, but to act like that is an acheivable goal, or a valid reason for people that run red lights is akin to saying "people murder because they are angry" - yeah, while true, that doesn't obsolve them from being wrong to murder and the idea that we could ever remove anger from the world is about on par with removing traffic from every city.
It is about one thing - always wanting to go one step beyond what is allowed. It's the reason why so many people smoke at 15 and drink at 18.
Just look at another road-related issue - speeding. If I'm on a highway that has a speed limit of 55 and then it kicks up to 70 (with no change in the surroundings to affect your driving other than a speed limit change) I can promise that people will really be going from about 65 to about 80.
The idea that it was a "poorly conceived speed limit" at 55 would indicate that they would be satisfied going 70 when it hits - but they aren't - the drivers around where I live don't like a certain speed limit - they like "Whatever is posted+10-15".
So rather than try and trace impatient drivers back to some abstract idea about city planning, call a spade a spade and admit that many people would rather be the 5th illegal car through the first light than the first legal car through the next.