I quote button, because nothing physically moves when you press it. I'm not sure if it registers pressure or heat, but you don't even feel anything move when you press it.

Usually when you press the button, a red text lights up on the button, telling you to wait. This text gives you feedback that the button registered your press, and the traffic light will schedule a green light for you.

However, sometimes you didn't press hard enough, and the text doesn't light up. Simple solution: press harder.

But there is a scenario where it doesn't matter how hard you press, the button won't light up. You keep staring at it, while slamming the damn thing with the fury of a Hulk wealding Mjolnir. Still, nothing lights up. The reason: the light instantly went green, so it never needed to light up the text telling you to wait. And all that time slamming your fist on the button, could have been spend crossing the intersection. Instead you have been standing there, looking like a drunk person having a fistfight with an inanimate object.