1. A method for detecting the presence of an object in a detection zone using a traffic detection system, the method comprising: providing said traffic detection system including an optical unit having an emitter module emitting pulses within a predetermined field of emission; a receiver module receiving a part of the pulses reflected by an object in said field of emission toward a field of view of said receiver module, said field of view including a plurality of adjacent detection channels, said receiver module acquiring and converting said received pulses into a corresponding plurality of a digital signal waveforms; an image sensing module providing an image that encompasses the field of emission of the emitter module and the field of view of the receiver module; providing a status overlay image for said field of view including said image and a visual indication on said image of an outline of said plurality of adjacent detection channels; positioning the field of view of said receiver module to cover said detection zone using said status overlay image; obtaining said plurality of digital signal waveforms using said traffic detection system; detecting a signal echo in one of said digital signal waveforms at a position within said field of view, said signal echo being caused by said presence of said object in said field of view; determining a location in said field of view for said object using said position; storing said location for said object.