WASHINGTON — A mishmash of government rules, some of which are outdated, could slow adoption of new self-driving car technology that’s seen as a possible boost to the economy, an auto industry representative told lawmakers Tuesday.

Senators were examining whether the federal government is keeping up with changes in transportation technology, such as the possibility of self-driving cars. Supporters argue that the technology could improve auto safety while saving drivers many hours in lost productivity.

“The technology is leading the society,” said Susan Alt, senior vice president of public affairs for Volvo Group North America, which produces trucks used in shipping. Alt called for standardizing state-level regulations, saying that discrepancies could slow adoption of the technology.

“Though our products roll across state lines, different states are developing different regulations to promote autonomous vehicle testing,” she warned. “We’ll need a national standard before these vehicles can become operational.”

Many analysts say the technology for self-driving cars will be available soon. Nissan, for example, has projected it will have the technology ready by 2020.

Existing regulations may also need to be adapted to situations involving self-driving vehicles, Alt noted. The concept of a driver, for example, could apply to the person in the car or the machine system itself, depending on the situation.

Analysts say self-driving cars could be a boon for the economy. According to an estimate from Morgan Stanley, widespread adoption of autonomous cars could contribute $1.3 trillion in savings to the U.S. economy.