We can see from the scattering of pedestrians across this square that its function as an intersection does not yet entirely dominate its function. This is a really large space, which it needs to be if it is to perform its function as a circulation space for trams. There is, however, still a lot of space that is reserved for pedestrians, and, by the look of it, very little of this space is used for the circulation of horse-drawn carriages and wagons. Still, this does not seem to be one of those squares where people stop and linger. Notice that the trams circulate in both directions in at least part of the square. (I cannot make out enough of the rails to be sure about the rest of it.) The usual way to arrange this is for a single track to circulate around the square, with traffic in a single direction, of course. The operation is the same as with a traffic circle for cars. There is always a danger when trams running in opposite directions pass one another - with this arrangement, pedestrians will be struck with some regularity, for certain. If the trams are kept separated by a couple of meters, the risk of this can be considerably reduced, as there is less possibility of one tram concealing another tram, which leads to pedestrians blundering into the path of a second tram they had not seen.
Does anyone know how many streets actually radiate from this square? It could be eight or more.
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