Systems and methods for triggering changes to traffic signals based on the number and/or types of vehicles occupying a detection zone are disclosed. One aspect of the present disclosure includes a device with memory having computer-readable instructions stored therein and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to receive identification of zones and corresponding traffic light rules for a traffic intersection; and for each identified zone, detect a number of objects in the zone; based at least in part on the number of objects detected in the zone, determine if a corresponding condition is met; and upon determining that the corresponding condition is met for the zone, send a corresponding output signal to a traffic signal controller to change a traffic signal for the zone.