The proposed bill, titled "An Act relative to navigation applications and the protection of local roadways and public safety response," aims to regulate the routing suggestions made by digital navigation applications and GPS systems for heavy motor vehicles. It prohibits these applications from directing heavy vehicles away from primary or commuter roadways onto local municipal roads if such diversions could lead to increased traffic congestion, hinder emergency response access, exceed local infrastructure limits, or negatively affect residential and tourism areas.

To enforce this regulation, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is tasked with developing guidelines in collaboration with municipal governments and public safety agencies. These guidelines will include identifying areas where routing restrictions are necessary and providing appropriate routing information to navigation application providers. The bill also clarifies that the regulations do not apply to emergency vehicles, public works vehicles, or vehicles that are rerouted due to road closures, accidents, or severe weather conditions as determined by public safety officials.