Many sensor controlled signals are combination timer and sensor, at least during heavy traffic times. They go by a fixed schedule, often in sync with other lights on the roads, but will skip a phase if there is nothing on the sensor. So getting to the sensor sooner won't help unless it was just about time for the green phase to occur if something was sensed.
There will usually be a "default green" direction (the larger street) that the lights will switch to if nothing is seen on the other sensors.
Some sensors are only present at the front of the lane, while some intersections have them placed further back.
Obviously, coasting or not coasting to a light that just turned red depends on how the signals are controlled (and whether you are on the road that get the "default green"), and whether there is already traffic ahead stopped or stopping on the sensor.
Some places have pedestrian lights with countdowns. If these are visible, then they can be used to tell how long the remaining green time is, so that you can know if you'll make it.
Of course, familiarity with the roads and signals helps. But many drivers probably pay too little attention to driving to notice how things are on the roads that the drive on every day.
-- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Timothy J. Lee Unsolicited bulk or commercial email is not welcome. No warranty of any kind is provided with this message.
