Abstract: The friction material is the core issue of sliding electrical contact and the hot spot of cutting-edge research. As the typical sliding frictional pairs in the electric contact of rail transport, the contact wire and pantograph slide plate are the key devices for high-speed trains to obtain electric energy, and the performance of their materials directly affects the quality of the electric contact system of the bow network and the safe and stable operation of electric locomotives. At present, with the rapid development of high-speed railway, there is an urgent need to research and develop sliding electrical contact materials for rail transit bow network with excellent comprehensive performance. The performance requirements of rail transit sliding electrical contact materials are introduced, the development history of contact wire and pantograph slide plate at home and abroad are reviewed, the research progress and problems in preparation process technology and other aspects of contact wire and pantograph slide plate materials are summarized, the development trend of rail transit sliding electrical contact materials are looked forward and future research focus are put forward.