The invention relates to a method for determining a detection range (12) of a traffic route (2) in which traffic participants can be detected by a transmitting and receiving device (4), wherein the transmitting and receiving device (4) is arranged at a device position in a device orientation and is designed to emit a transmitted radiation and to receive reflected transmitted radiation, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) calculating a spatial detecting range of the transmitting and receiving device (4) at least also from the device position and the device orientation by means of a 3D model, b) determining an aerial detecting range in a measurement plane (10) from the spatial detecting range, and c) determining the detecting range (12) from the areal detecting range.