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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Impacts of Revisions to the Risk-Free Discount Rate Applied to Environmental Remediation Liabilities and Recovery Assets | The following table summarizes the impacts of revisions in the risk-free discount rate applied to our environmental remediation liabilities and recovery assets during the reported periods (in millions) and the risk-free discount rate applied as of each reporting date:
|  | Years Ended December 31, |
|  | 2016 |  |  | 2015 |  |  | 2014 |
Charge (reduction) to operating expenses |  | $ | (2 | ) |  | $ | (2 | ) |  | $ | 10 |
Risk-free discount rate applied to environmental remediation liabilities and recovery assets |  |  | 2.5 | % |  |  | 2.25 | % |  |  | 2.00 | %
Schedule of Estimated Useful Lives for Significant Property and Equipment Categories | The estimated useful lives for significant property and equipment categories are as follows (in years):
|  | Useful Lives |
Vehicles — excluding rail haul cars |  |  | 3 to 10 |
Vehicles — rail haul cars |  |  | 10 to 20 |
Machinery and equipment — including containers |  |  | 3 to 30 |
Buildings and improvements |  |  | 5 to 40 |
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment |  |  | 3 to 10 |
Summary of Equity and Cost Method Investments | The following table summarizes our equity and cost method investments as of December 31 (in millions):
|  | 2016 |  |  | 2015 |
Equity method investments |  | $ | 173 |  |  | $ | 186 |
Cost method investments |  |  | 147 |  |  |  | 174 |
Investments in unconsolidated entities |  | $ | 320 |  |  | $ | 360 |
Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Information | Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash paid during the years ended December 31 (in millions): |  | 2016 |  |  | 2015 |  |  | 2014 |
Interest, net of capitalized interest and periodic settlements from interest rate swap agreements |  | $ | 375 |  |  | $ | 384 |  |  | $ | 461 |
Income taxes |  |  | 442 |  |  |  | 419 |  |  |  | 758 |

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- Definition A tabular presentation of the information summarizing investments in and advances to majority-owned subsidiaries, other controlled companies, and other affiliates, as prescribed by the SEC. It reflects specified information about ownership, financial results from, and financial position in such entities. Includes the tabular presentations that disaggregate investments in and advances to majority-owned subsidiaries, other controlled companies, and other affiliates. + References No definition available. + Details
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