Can traffic light design work better for drivers?

In an earlier blog post (http://ccd-design.blogspot.com/2010/06/pedestrian-countdown-trial-in-london.html) we talked about the trial that TfL were conducting with a countdown to provide more information to pedestrians on the time left before the lights change.

We have now come across this conceptual design for traffic lights that provide similar countdown information to drivers - http://www.yankodesign.com/2010/11/18/sands-of-traffic-times/

There are some obvious ergonomics questions about whether the signs could be accurately perceived by drivers, moving at speed, at a distance.

However the principle of providing another level of information to reduce stress and warn of changing states is interesting.