This paper first reviews the development status of domestic and international simulation technology for urban rail transit system,and describes in detail the shortcomings of existing simulation systems such as less accurate models and incomprehensive consideration of the interaction between train and traction power system,leading to large deviation of simulation result compared with practical experiment.Simulation of electrical interaction between train and traction system shows that the traction performance of the train is influenced by the variation of overhead line’s voltage.Finally,in order to have a fullscale reflection on the characteristics of urban rail transit system that dynamic simulation which combines multitrain with multiworking mode is demanded,and the study of a general simulation platform should also be carried out.It is proposed that the integration of PSCAD/EMTDC and Matlab can be used for developing the platform.