As I recall it, the system used cameras or maybe radar to detect the cars some distance away so it had time to optimise the lights. The Google system seems to be based on historical data which probably the quickest way to improve using the current technology. My observation is that most traffic lights are set and forget so there are probably huge improvements possible.
As google data is based on mobile phones, they probably do have data on pedestrians as well as cars which could be promising.
To really fix things there will need to be new technology to allow realtime adjustments which introduces the opportunity to detect bikes and pedestrians.
Never watched this Carlson fool but it seems that others do to their detriment. If you are so desperate for ratings that you need to give a platform to Putin, your life must be in tatters.