The invention provides a rail vehicle parking brake performance test system and test method. The test system comprises a first connector, a second connector, a force sensor and a traction device. Thefirst connector is used for connecting with a vehicle to be tested; the second connector is used for connecting with the traction device; the traction device is used for providing a traction force forthe second connector; the first connector is connected with the second connector; and the force sensor is arranged between the first connector and the second connector, and is used for detecting theforce applied to the first connector by the second connector under the function of the traction force. When the vehicle to be tested moves, if the force detected by the force sensor is smaller than orequal to a preset sliding-down force, the parking brake performance of the vehicle to be tested does not reach standard. Multiple set sliding-down forces are obtained according to different ramp angles or wind forces, so that an effect of testing the parking brake performance of the vehicle to be tested under conditions of multiple ramp angles or wind forces can be achieved, test range is widened, and problems in the prior art are solved.